Flexible apparatus and method for controlling operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A flexible apparatus is provided. The flexible apparatus includes a plurality of motion sensors mounted on different locations of the flexible apparatus, a storage configured to store operation information of the flexible apparatus corresponding to a bending shape, and a controller configured to determine a bending shape of the flexible apparatus based on a sensing value of each of the plurality of motion sensors, and to perform an operation corresponding to the determined bending shape based on the operation information stored in the storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 13/954,098, filed on Jul. 30, 2013, which claimed the benefit under35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Jul. 30, 2012in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2012-0083234, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a flexible apparatus and a method forcontrolling an operation thereof. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a flexible apparatus which can sense a bendingshape using a plurality of motion sensors and perform an operationaccording to the bending shape, and a method for controlling anoperation thereof.

BACKGROUND

With the development of electronic technologies, various kinds ofelectronic apparatuses have been developed. In particular, displayapparatuses such as television (TVs), Personal Computers (PCs), laptops,tablet PCs, mobile phones, and MP3 players are widely used to such anextent that they can be found in most households.

In order to meet consumer demands for new functions and new forms ofdisplays, an effort to develop new forms of display apparatuses isongoing. One of the results of this effort is a next generation displayapparatus in the form of a flexible display apparatus.

The flexible display apparatus is a display apparatus that can bedeformed or deformed into different shapes and configuration like paper.The flexible display apparatus can be deformed by a force that isapplied by a user and thus may be used for various purposes. Forexample, the flexible display apparatus may be used for mobileapparatuses such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, electronic albums,Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and MP3 players.

In the related art, an electronic apparatus may be controlled by auser's touch manipulation or button manipulation. However, the flexibleapparatus is flexible. Accordingly, there is a need for a newmanipulation mechanism using characteristics of such a flexibleapparatus.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a flexible apparatus, which can determine abending shape effectively using a plurality of motion sensors, and amethod for controlling an operation thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a flexibleapparatus is provided. The flexible apparatus includes a plurality ofmotion sensors mounted on different locations of the flexible apparatus,a storage configured to store operation information of the flexibleapparatus corresponding to a bending shape, and a controller configuredto determine a bending shape of the flexible apparatus based on asensing value of each of the plurality of motion sensors, and to performan operation corresponding to the determined bending shape based on theoperation information stored in the storage.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the controllermay obtain a change in the sensing value of each of the plurality ofmotion sensors, and may determine the bending shape based on adifference between the changed sensing values. The bending shape mayinclude a degree of bending and a bending direction.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality ofmotion sensors may be sensors that sense a change in a position withreference to at least one of 3D space axes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality ofmotion sensors may be disposed on corner areas of the flexibleapparatus.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality ofmotion sensors may include a first motion sensor disposed on a center ofa first edge area from among edge areas of the flexible apparatus, and asecond motion sensor disposed on a center of a second edge area which isopposite the first edge area from among the edge areas of the flexibleapparatus.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the flexibleapparatus may further include a touch sensor configured to sense a usertouch. The controller may activate the plurality of motion sensorsaccording to the user touch.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the flexibleapparatus may further include a bend sensor configured to sense abending state of the flexible apparatus. The controller may determinethe bending shape based on an output value of the bend sensor and thesensing values of the plurality of motion sensors.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when apredetermined calibration shape is sensed, the controller may calculatea compensation value based on a sensing value which is output from thebend sensor while the calibration shape is sensed, and may compensatefor the sensing value of the bend sensor based on the compensationvalue.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality ofmotion sensors may include at least one of an acceleration sensor, ageomagnetic sensor, and a gyro sensor.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the controllermay determine at least one of general bending, folding, multi-bending,bending and move, bending and flat, bending and hold, bending and twist,twist, swing, shaking, and rolling based on a change in at least one ofa pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle which are sensed by theplurality of motion sensors.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the flexibleapparatus may further include a display configured to display a screencorresponding to the bending shape.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, when bendingoccurs while a plurality of menus are displayed on the display, thecontroller may perform a menu navigation operation on the plurality ofmenus according to the bending shape, and the menu navigation operationmay include at least one of an operation of moving a menu, an operationof selecting a menu, an operation of changing a menu page, an operationof scrolling a menu, an operation of displaying a main menu and a submenu, and an operation of switching between a main menu and a sub menu.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodfor controlling an operation of a flexible apparatus is provided. Themethod includes outputting, by a plurality of motion sensors mounted ondifferent locations of the flexible apparatus, sensing values,determining a bending shape of the bent flexible apparatus by comparingthe sensing values of the plurality of motion sensors, and performing anoperation corresponding to the bending shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, thedetermining of the bending shape may include obtaining a change in thesensing value of each of the plurality of motion sensors, anddetermining the bending shape based on a difference between the changedsensing values, and the bending shape may include a degree of bendingand a bending direction.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theplurality of motion sensors may be sensors that sense a change in aposition with reference to at least one of 3D space axes. Thedetermining of the bending shape may include determining at least one ofa bending direction, a degree of bending, a bending area, and a bendingshape by comparing results of sensing changes in positions by theplurality of motion sensors.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodmay further include when a user touch is sensed by a touch sensor,activating the plurality of motion sensors.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theflexible apparatus may include a bend sensor configured to sense abending state of the flexible apparatus. The determining of the bendingshape may include determining the bending shape based on sensing valuesof the bend sensor and the plurality of motion sensors.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodmay further include when a predetermined calibration shape is sensed,calculating a compensation value based on a sensing value which isoutput from the bend sensor while the calibration shape is sensed, andcompensating for the sensing value of the bend sensor using thecompensation value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the bendingmay include at least one of general bending, folding, multi-bending,bending and move, bending and flat, bending and hold, bending and twist,twist, swing, shaking, and rolling.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodmay further include displaying a screen corresponding to the bendingshape.

In accordance with another aspect of the preset disclosure, the methodmay further include displaying a plurality of menus, and when bending toperform a menu navigation operation occurs, performing a menu navigationoperation on the plurality of menus according to the bending shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the menunavigation operation may include at least one of an operation of movinga menu, an operation of selecting a menu, an operation of changing amenu page, an operation of scrolling a menu, an operation of displayinga main menu and a sub menu, and an operation of switching between a mainmenu and a sub menu.

According to the various embodiments as described above, the bendingshape can be effectively sensed by the plurality of motion sensors.Accordingly, the operation of the flexible apparatus can be controlledeasily using the bending manipulation.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexibleapparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a motion sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view to illustrate axis directions of a plurality of motionsensors which are arranged in a flexible apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating reference axis coordinates to detect abending shape of a flexible apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a bending shape in which a center of aflexible apparatus curves upwardly according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating a change in a sensing value of amotion sensor when bending is performed according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a bending shape in which a center of aflexible apparatus curves downwardly according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors when atwist occurs in a first direction according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors when atwist occurs in a second direction according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors whenbending and twist occurs according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a configuration of a flexible apparatuswhich includes three motion sensors according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views illustrating changes in axes of motionsensors when multi-bending occurs in a flexible apparatus includingthree motion sensors according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views illustrating changes in axes of motionsensors when multi-bending occurs in a flexible apparatus including fourmotion sensors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors whenbending and motion occurs in a flexible apparatus including three motionsensors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors whenbouncing up occurs in a flexible apparatus including three motionsensors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views illustrating changes in axes of motion sensorswhen shaking occurs in a flexible apparatus including three motionsensors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a configuration of a flexible apparatuswhere four motion sensors are disposed at corners according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are views illustrating a configuration of aflexible apparatus where a plurality of motion sensors are distributedaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a view to illustrate a system for controlling an externalapparatus using a flexible apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexibledisplay apparatus according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating a configuration of a display which isincluded in the flexible display apparatus of FIG. 23 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 25 to 38 are view to illustrate various methods for sensing abending shape of a flexible display apparatus using a bend sensorsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating a configuration of a flexible displayapparatus which includes a bend sensor and a plurality of motion sensorsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are views to illustrate a method for performingcalibration for a bend sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexibledisplay apparatus according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 43 is a view illustrating a configuration of a program which isstored in a storage according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 44 and 45 are views to illustrate a method for activating a motionsensor according to a user touch according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 46 to 54 are views to illustrate various examples of operationswhich are performed according to bending shapes according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a view illustrating another example of an exterior of aflexible display apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a shape of a flexible display apparatuswhere a power supply is attachable and detachable according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 57 and 58 are views illustrating various examples of an exteriorof a flexible display apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling anoperation of a flexible apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexibleapparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flexible apparatus 100 includes a plurality ofmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-n, a controller 120, and a storage 130.

The flexible apparatus 100 may be implemented by using various types offlexible display apparatuses, such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, alaptop computer, an MP3 player, an electronic album, an electronic book,a television (TV), and a monitor, or may be implemented by using varioustypes of apparatuses such as a remote controller, an input pad, and amouse.

The plurality of motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n may be mounted ondifferent locations of a body of the flexible apparatus 100. The bodyrefers to a main body of the flexible apparatus 100 which includes ahousing covering inner elements of the flexible apparatus 100.

The storage 130 may store information on various bending shapes andinformation on an operation of the flexible apparatus corresponding toeach bending shape.

The controller 120 determines a bending shape by comparing sensingvalues of the plurality of motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n. Also, thecontroller 120 performs an operation corresponding to the determinedbending shape based on the operation information stored in the storage130. Examples of bending shapes and corresponding operations will beexplained below.

Each of the motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n may sense a change in aposition with reference to at least one of 3-Dimensional (3D) spaceaxes. The motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n may be implemented by usingvarious sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and anacceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor outputs a sensing valuecorresponding to acceleration of gravity which changes according to atilt of an apparatus to which the sensor is attached. The gyro sensor isa sensor which, when a rotary motion occurs, detects an angular velocityby measuring Coriolis force exerted in a velocity direction of themotion. The geomagnetic sensor senses azimuth.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a motion sensor which includes anacceleration sensor according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, a motion sensor 110 includes a driving signalgenerator 111, an acceleration sensor 112, a signal processor 113, and asensor controller 114.

The driving signal generator 111 generates a driving signal to drive theacceleration sensor 112. The driving signal is generated in the form ofa pulse signal and a reverse pulse signal, and is provided to theacceleration sensor 112.

The acceleration sensor 112 may be implemented on 2 axes or 3 axes. Forexample, when the acceleration sensor 112 is implemented by using a2-axis acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor 112 include X andY-axis acceleration sensors (not shown) which are perpendicular to eachother. When the acceleration sensor 112 is implemented by using a 3-axisacceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor 112 includes X, Y, andZ-axis acceleration sensors which are disposed in different directionsand perpendicular to one another.

The signal processor 113 converts outputs values of the X, Y, and Z-axisacceleration sensors into digital values, and provides the digitalvalues to the sensor controller 114. The signal processor 113 mayinclude a chopping circuit, an amplification circuit, a filter, and anAnalogue-Digital (A/D) converter. Accordingly, the signal processor 113chops, amplifies, and filters electric signals which are output from the3-axis acceleration sensors, converts the electric signals into digitalvoltage values, and outputs the digital voltage values.

The sensor controller 114 outputs a control signal to the driving signalgenerator 111 to control whether to provide the driving signal. Themotion sensor 111 may be activated or inactivated under the control ofthe sensor controller 114.

When the acceleration sensor 112 is activated and outputs an outputvalue of each of the axis acceleration sensors, and the output valuesare processed by the signal processor 113, the sensor controller 114normalizes the output values to be mapped within a predetermined range,and calculates a pitch angle and a roll angle using the normalizedvalues.

For example, when the 2-axis acceleration sensor is provided, the sensorcontroller 114 normalizes output values using Equation (1):

$\begin{matrix}{{{Xt}_{norm} = \frac{\left( {{Xt} - {Xt}_{offset}} \right)}{{Xt}_{Scale}}}{{Yt}_{norm} = \frac{\left( {{Yt} - {Yt}_{offset}} \right)}{{Yt}_{Scale}}}{{{Xt}_{offset} = \frac{{Xt}_{\max} + {Xt}_{\min}}{2}},\mspace{14mu}{{Xt}_{Scale} = \frac{{Xt}_{\max} - {Xt}_{\min}}{2}}}{{{Yt}_{offset} = \frac{{Yt}_{\max} + {Yt}_{\min}}{2}},\mspace{14mu}{{Yt}_{Scale} = \frac{{Yt}_{\max} - {Yt}_{\min}}{2}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(1)}\end{matrix}$

In Equation (1), Xt and Yt are output values of the X-axis and Y-axisacceleration sensors, respectively, Xt_(norm) and Yt_(norm) arenormalized values of the X-axis and Y-axis acceleration sensors,Xt_(max) and Xt_(min) are a maximum value and a minimum value of Xt,respectively, Yt_(max) and Yt_(max) are a maximum value and a minimumvalue of Yt, respectively, Xt_(offset) and Yt_(offset) are offset valuesof the X and Y-axis acceleration sensors, respectively, and Xt_(scale)and Yt_(scale) are scale values of the X and Y-axis accelerationsensors, respectively. Xt_(offset), Yt_(offset), X_(tScale) andY_(tScale) may be calculated in advance by rotating the flexibleapparatus 100 in which the acceleration sensor 110 is mounted severaltimes, and may be stored in a memory of the acceleration sensor 110 orthe storage 130.

The sensor controller 114 may calculate a pitch angle and a roll angleby inserting the value of each of the axis acceleration sensors which isnormalized as shown in Equation (1) into Equation (2):

$\begin{matrix}{{\theta = {\sin^{- 1}\left( {Xt}_{norm} \right)}}{\phi = {\sin^{- 1}\left( \frac{{Yt}_{noram}}{\cos\;\theta} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(2)}\end{matrix}$

In Equation (2), θ is a pitch angle and Ø is a roll angle.

On the other hand, when the acceleration sensor 112 is implemented byusing a 3-axis acceleration sensor, the sensor controller 114 maynormalize output values of X, Y, and Z-axis acceleration sensors throughthe signal processor 113 by mapping the values onto values of apredetermined range, and may calculate a pitch angle and a roll angleusing the normalized values.

The sensor controller 114 provides information on the pitch angle andthe roll angle to the controller 120. The controller 120 compares theinformation provided from the sensor controller 114 and bending shapeinformation stored in the storage 130, and determines a bending shape.

To achieve this, the storage 130 may store information on variousbending shapes. The bending shape information is information on anoperation of changing a shape of the flexible apparatus 100 by crooking,bending, and twisting the flexible apparatus 100, or informationdefining a characteristic of a bending shape. Various types of bending,such as general bending, folding, multi-bending, bending and move,bending and flat, bending and hold, bending and twist, twist, swing,shaking, and rolling may be set according to a type, a shape, a size,and a control operation of the flexible apparatus 100. The storage 130may store values of the motion sensors when each bending occurs, orinformation on an operation matching the bending shape.

A variety of bending shape information may be set according to a numberof motion sensors, a placement location, an axis direction, and a type.A method for determining a bending shape using a motion sensor isdescribed below.

Determining Bending Shape Using Motion Sensor

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a configuration of a flexible apparatus inwhich two motion sensors are disposed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the two motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 are disposedon opposite edges of the flexible apparatus. In FIG. 3, each of themotion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 is implemented by using a 3-axisacceleration sensor including X, Y, and Z axes, and the axes of the twomotion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 are placed in the same directions.

The X1 axis of the first motion sensor 110-1 points toward the rightedge of the flexible apparatus 100, the Y1 axis points toward the loweredge of the flexible apparatus 100, and the Z1 axis points in a downwarddirection perpendicular to a plane which is formed by the X1 axis andthe Y axis. The X2, Y2, and Z2 axes of the second motion sensor 110-2point in the same directions. An angle rotating about the X2 axis andthe X2 axis is a roll angle, an angle rotating about the Y1 axis and theY2 axis is pitch angle, and an angle about the Z1 axis and the Z2 axisis a yaw angle.

The controller 120 may sense a change in a position by comparing asensing value of each axis of the motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 and areference coordinate system.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a reference coordinate system accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, Z0 denotes a direction of gravity, X0 denotes eastdirection, and Y denotes south direction when the flexible apparatus isplaced in a flat state.

The controller 120 may calculate the pitch angle and the roll angleusing Equation (1) and Equation (2) as described above. The controller120 may also calculate the pitch angle and the roll angle by insertingthe sensing values output from the motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 andthe reference coordinate system into Equation (3):

                                     Equation  (3)$g_{{conversion}\mspace{14mu}{coordinate}\mspace{14mu}{system}} = {{C_{{coordinates}\mspace{14mu}{conversion}\mspace{14mu}{matrix}} \times {g_{{reference}\mspace{14mu}{coordinate}\mspace{14mu}{system}}\begin{bmatrix}g_{X} \\g_{Y} \\g_{Z}\end{bmatrix}}} = {\begin{bmatrix}{\cos\;\theta\;\cos\;\psi} & {\cos\;\theta\;\sin\;\psi} & {{- \sin}\;\theta} \\\begin{matrix}{{\sin\;\phi\;\sin\;\theta\;\cos\;\psi} -} \\{\cos\;\phi\;\sin\;\psi}\end{matrix} & {\;\begin{matrix}{{\sin\;\phi\;\sin\;\theta\;\sin\;\psi} +} \\{\cos\;\phi\;\cos\;\psi}\end{matrix}} & {\sin\;\phi\;\cos\;\theta} \\\begin{matrix}{{\cos\;\phi\;\sin\;\theta\;\cos\;\psi} +} \\{\sin\;\phi\;\sin\;\psi}\end{matrix} & \begin{matrix}{{\cos\;\phi\;\sin\;\theta\;\sin\;\psi} -} \\{\sin\;\phi\;\cos\;\psi}\end{matrix} & {\cos\;\phi\;\cos\;\varsigma}\end{bmatrix}\;{\quad\left. \begin{bmatrix}0 \\0 \\{- g}\end{bmatrix}\Leftrightarrow{\begin{bmatrix}g_{X} \\g_{Y} \\g_{Z}\end{bmatrix}{\quad\begin{bmatrix}{g\;\sin\;\theta} \\{{- g}\;\sin\;\phi\;\cos\;\theta} \\{{- g}\;\cos\;\phi\;\cos\;\theta}\end{bmatrix}}} \right.}}}$

In Equation (3), ϕ denotes Roll, θ denotes Pitch, ψ denotes Yaw, and gdenotes gravity. According to Equation (3),g_(conversion coordinate system) is calculated by multiplyingg_(reference coordinate system) and a coordinate conversion matrix. InEquation (3), gx, gy, and gz indicate gravity acceleration componentsthat are sensed on X, Y, and Z axes. Specifically, gx, gy, and gz may beoutput values of the X, Y, and Z-axis acceleration sensors. θ is a pitchangle, Ø is a roll angle, Ψ is a yaw angle, and g is acceleration ofgravity.

The pitch angle and the roll angle may be expressed by rearrangingEquation (3) to Equation (4):

$\begin{matrix}{{{Roll}(\phi)} = {\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{\hat{g_{Y}}}{{\hat{g}}_{Z}} \right)}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(4)} \\{{{Pitch}(\theta)} = {\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{\hat{g_{X}}}{\sqrt{\left( \hat{g_{Y}} \right)^{2} + \left( \hat{g_{Z}} \right)^{2}}} \right)}} & \;\end{matrix}$

The controller 120 may calculate the pitch angle and the roll angleusing Equation (4).

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a bending shape in which a center of theflexible apparatus curves upwardly according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the flexible apparatus is bent, having itsright edge and left edge oriented downward, the X1 axis of the firstmotion sensor 110-1 and the X2 axis of the second motion sensor 110-2point downward in the direction of gravity. The Z1 axis and the Z2 axispoint facing each other, and the Y1 axis and the Y2 axis are parallel totheir previous axis directions.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a change in the sensing value of the motionsensor when bending occurs according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the X1 axis and the Z1 axis of the first motionsensor 110-1, which is disposed on the right edge, move to the left incomparison with the X0 axis and the Z0 axis of the reference coordinatesystem.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the X2 axis and the Z2 axis of the second motionsensor 110-2, which is disposed on the left edge, move to the right incomparison with the X0 axis and the Z0 axis of the reference coordinatesystem.

When the axis directions of the first and second motion sensors 110-1and 110-2 are changed as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the gravityacceleration component, which is distributed to each axis, is sensed bythe sensor of each axis and output. The controller 120 determines arelationship between the X1 value and the X2 value and a relationshipbetween the Z1 value and the Z2 value by comparing output values of eachaxis. Accordingly, the controller 120 determines that a bending shape inwhich the center of the flexible apparatus 100 curves upwardly isperformed.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a bending shape in which a center of aflexible apparatus curves downwardly according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the right edge and the left edge of the flexibleapparatus are oriented upward by bending. Accordingly, the X1 axis ofthe first motion sensor 110-1 and the X2 axis of the second motionsensor 110-2 point upwardly in the opposite direction to gravity. The Z1axis and the Z2 axis point in opposite directions, while the Y1 axis andthe Y2 axis are parallel to their previous axis directions.

The bending area and the bending shape in FIG. 7 are the same as in FIG.5, but the bending directions are opposite each other. Accordingly, whenbending of FIGS. 5 and 7 is performed, the X axis accelerations and theZ axis accelerations have opposite signs.

When general bending is performed to have the center curved upward ordownward as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the directions of the X1, X2, Z1,and Z2 axes are changed. As described above, the change in thedirections of the Z1 and Z2 axes with reference to the Z0 axis refers toa yaw angle. However, since the acceleration sensors sense the samegravity acceleration, the acceleration sensors cannot measure the yawangle. Accordingly, the yaw angle may be measured separately by means ofthe geomagnetic sensor or gyro sensor, or bending/unbending may bedetermined by sensing only a change in the pitch angle.

Although the general bending in which the center curves upwardly ordownwardly is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, the general bending includesbending of one edge area. When one of the first and second motionsensors 110-1 and 110-2 outputs the same value and the other sensoroutputs a changed value, the controller 120 determines that the edgearea where the other sensor is disposed is bent. In this case, when thechange in the output value is less than or equal to a threshold value,the controller 120 determines that the general bending in which one edgearea is bent is performed. When the change exceeds the threshold value,the controller 120 determines that folding is performed.

As described above, the bending may include bending and move, bendingand flat, bending and hold, bending and twist, twist, swing, shaking,and rolling in addition to the general bending and the folding.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views to explain twist according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a twist operation in which a right lower corner and aleft upper corner of a flexible apparatus go up in the oppositedirection to gravity, and a right upper corner and a left lower cornergo down in the direction of gravity according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a twist operation in which a right upper corner and aleft lower corner of a flexible apparatus go up in the oppositedirection to gravity and the right lower corner and the left uppercorner go down in the direction of gravity according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

When the twist operation is performed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the X1and X2 axes are still maintained in the same direction as that of the X0axis, but the Y1, Y2, Z1, and Z2 axes are rotated with reference to thereference axis. Accordingly, the roll angle is changed. The controller120 calculates the pitch angle and the roll angle using the sensingvalues of each of the first and second motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2,and obtains an absolute value of each of the pitch angle and the rollangle, and a change in the sign. Accordingly, it is determined whetherthe twist operation is performed or not.

FIG. 10 illustrates bending and twist in which general bending isperformed on a certain area and twist is performed on the other areaaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the left edge area of the flexible apparatus 100curves upwardly and the right lower corner goes up in the oppositedirection to gravity. Accordingly, the axes of the first and secondmotion sensor 110-1 and 110-2 are changed as shown in FIG. 10. When achange in the roll angle is sensed from the first motion sensor 110-1and a change in the pitch angle is sensed from the second motion sensor110-2, the controller 120 determines that the bending and twist isperformed. The controller 120 determines a degree of bending using thepitch angle which is calculated based on the output values of the secondmotion sensor 110-2. The controller 120 may determine a degree of twistusing the roll angle which is calculated based on the output values ofthe first motion sensor 110-1.

Although the controller 120 compares the output values of the motionsensors with reference to the reference coordinate system in theabove-described embodiment, the controller 120 may determinebending/unbending with reference to an initial coordinate system whichis set through a training process, besides the reference coordinatesystem. When the flexible apparatus 100 is placed in a flat state and auser setting command is input, the controller 120 may store sensingvalues of each motion sensor at that time as a reference value. Thecontroller 120 determines bending/unbending by comparing sensing valuesof each motion sensor and the reference value.

In the above-described embodiment, the bending shape is determined usingthe two motion sensors. However, the number of motion sensors may bemore than two.

FIG. 11 illustrates a configuration of a flexible apparatus whichincludes three motion sensors according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the flexible apparatus 100 includes a first motionsensor 110-1 and a second motion sensors 110-2 which are disposed onopposite edge areas, and a third motion sensor 110-3 which is disposedon a center area.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a cross section of the flexible apparatusof FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the third motion sensor 110-3 has X3, Y3, and Z3axes which are placed in the same form as those of the first and secondmotion sensors 110-1 and 110-2. The third motion sensor 110-3 may beplaced on a location where a bending direction is changed whenmulti-bending in which two or more areas are bent is performed, (i.e., alocation corresponding to an inflection point).

Referring to FIG. 12B, when multi-bending in which two or more areas arebent is performed, the Y1, Y2, and Y3 axes of the first to third motionsensors 110-1 to 110-3 are maintained parallel to the Y0 axis, and theX1, X2, and X3 axes and the Z1, Z2, and Z3 axes are rotated withreference to the Y0 and Z0 axes, respectively. The controller 120calculates pitch angles based on the output values of the first to thirdmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-3. The controller 120 determines whether themulti-bending is performed or not by comparing the pitch angels whichare calculated by the first to third motion sensors 110-1 to 110-3.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views illustrating a configuration of a flexibleapparatus which includes four motion sensors according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13A, a first motion sensor 110-1 and a second motionsensor 110-2 are disposed on opposite edge areas and a third motionsensor and a fourth motion sensor 110-3 and 110-4 are disposed betweenthe first and second motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2. The axes of thefirst to fourth motion sensors 110-1 and 110-4 are placed in the samedirections.

Referring to FIG. 13B, when multi-bending in which three areas are bentis performed, the Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 axes of the first to fourth motionsensors 110-1 to 110-4 are maintained parallel to the Y0 axis, and theX1, X2, X3, and X4 axes and the Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 axes are rotated withreference to the Y0 and Z0 axes, respectively. The controller 120 maycalculate pitch angles based on the output values of the first to fourthmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-4. The controller 120 may determine whetherthe multi-bending is performed by comparing the pitch angles which arecalculated by the first to fourth motion sensors 110-1 to 110-4.

When the sensing values of the plurality of motion sensors are output insequence, the controller 120 may determine whether bending and move isperformed based on those values. The bending and move recited hereinrefers to an operation in which one area is bent and the bent area movesto one side.

FIG. 14 is a view to illustrate a method for determining bending andmove in the flexible apparatus which includes three motion sensorsaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the bending and move is performed, theplurality of motion sensors output the sensing values corresponding tothe bending state in sequence. The first and second motion sensors 110-1and 110-2 are disposed on the opposite edge areas, and the third motionsensor 110-3 is disposed on the center area.

FIG. 14 illustrates bending and move which starts from the area wherethe second motion sensor 110-2 is disposed and moves to the area wherethe first motion sensor 110-1 is disposed. When the bending and move isperformed, the bending move in direction of (a), (b), and (c) insequence.

When a change in the pitch angle is sensed from the second motion sensor110-2 which is a start point of the bending, a change in the pitch angleis sensed from the third motion sensor 110-3 after a predetermined time,and then a change in the pitch angle is sensed from the first motionsensor 110-1 again after a predetermined time, the controller 120determines that bending is performed in the direction of (a), (b), and(c) in sequence.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating changes in axes of motion sensors whenbouncing up is performed in a flexible apparatus including three motionsensors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the user holds the opposite edges of theflexible apparatus 100 and bounces the flexible apparatus 100 up, thecenter of the flexible apparatus 100 goes up in sequence of (I), (II),and (III). The axis directions of the first and second motion sensors110-1 and 110-2 are changed by bending and thus a gravity accelerationcomponent sensed from each axis is changed. The third motion sensor110-3 has the acceleration in an upward direction when the flexibleapparatus 100 is bounced up. Accordingly, the output value of the Z axisis changed.

When the output values of the first and second motion sensors 110-1 and110-2 are sensed with different signs and the output value of the Z3axis of the third motion sensor 110-3 is reduced, the controller 120determines that general bending in which the flexible apparatus isbounced up is performed one time.

When the center of the flexible apparatus is bent as shown in FIG. 15and then is bent in the opposite direction, and these bending operationsare repeated alternately, the controller 120 determines that swing isperformed.

The controller 120 may determine other bending operations such asshaking and rolling based on the changes in the output values of theplurality of motion sensors.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are views illustrating changes in axes of the motionsensors when shaking is performed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The shaking recited herein refers to an operation ofholding the edge area of the flexible apparatus 100 with one hand andshaking the flexible apparatus 100.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, when the user holds the left edge of theflexible apparatus 100, and has the right edge point downward and shakesthe flexible apparatus 100, a bending direction at each point is changedalternately. Accordingly, the axis directions of the motion sensors110-1 to 110-3 are changed in a regular pattern as shown in FIGS. 16 and17. The controller 120 determines that the shaking is performed based onthe output values of the motion sensor 110-1 to 110-3.

The number and placement locations of the motion sensors 110-1 to 110-3may be set variously as described above.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are views to illustrate various examples of aconfiguration of a flexible apparatus in which a plurality of motionsensors are disposed according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, four motion sensors 110-1 to 110-4 are placed atcorners of the flexible apparatus 100.

FIG. 19 illustrates a plurality of motion sensors which are disposed onan overall surface of a flexible apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19, a plurality of motion sensors 110-1 to 110-14 aredisposed along the edge of the flexible apparatus 100 and a plurality ofmotion sensors 110-15 to 110-17 are disposed on the center.

FIG. 20 illustrates the flexible apparatus 100 in which a plurality ofmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-4 are disposed at the corners, and a motionsensor 110-5 is disposed on the center.

FIG. 21 illustrates the flexible apparatus 100 in which a plurality ofmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-4 are disposed on a center of each edge, anda motion sensor 110-5 is disposed on the center.

The controller 120 may determine whether rolling is performed based on aresult of sensing by the motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n. The rollingrefers to an operation of moving the flexible apparatus along thesurface. When the rolling is performed, the axis of the motion sensorwhich is disposed on the edge area is rotated by more than 360°, andaccordingly, the sensing value of the motion sensor is repeated in thesame pattern period. The controller 120 may determine whether therolling is performed based on the change in this sensing value.

The bending and flat or the bending and hold may be determined based ona time during which a bending state is maintained. When bending issensed and held for a predetermined time, the controller 120 determinesthat the bending and hold is performed. The controller 120 may determinewhether the bending and hold is performed using a timer. When bending issensed and then a flat state is sensed, the controller 120 may determinethat the bending and flat is performed.

In the above examples, the motion sensor consists of the accelerationsensor only. However, the motion sensor may also include the geomagneticsensor or gyro sensor.

When the motion sensor is implemented by using the geomagnetic sensor,the motion sensor may sense azimuth based on an output value of a 2-axisor 3-axis fluxgate which senses earth's magnetic field. When the Z axisis placed in the same direction as that of the earth's magnetic fieldvector, a reference coordinate system of the geomagnetic sensor may bedefined. The direction of the motion sensor's rotated is determined bycomparing the sensed azimuth and the reference coordinate system.

When the motion sensor is implemented by using a 3-axis flux gategeomagnetic sensor, the controller 120 may normalize output values ofthe X, Y, and Z-axis fluxgates to map the fluxgates within apredetermined normalization range. The normalizing may be performedbased on an equation having the same form as Equation (1). Normalizationfactors such as an offset value and a scale value are calculated using aminimum value and a maximum value from among output values of the X, Y,and Z-axis fluxgates, and the normalizing is performed using thenormalization factors. The normalization factors such as the offsetvalue and the scale value may be calculated in advance and stored in thestorage 130. When there is no offset value or scale value calculated andstored in advance, the flexible apparatus including the geomagneticsensor is placed in a flat state, a maximum value and a minimum valueare measured by rotating the flexible apparatus one time, and an offsetvalue and a scale value are calculated by applying the measured valuesto Equation (1), and are stored.

When the normalizing is performed, the controller 120 may calculateazimuth by applying a resulting value to the following equation. Theequation for calculating the azimuth may be defined variously. Forexample, the azimuth may be calculated by Equation (5):λ=tan⁻¹(X-axis output value/Y-axis output value)  Equation (5)

In Equation (5), λ is azimuth. When the flexible apparatus is flat, theazimuth may be a yaw angle. The X-axis output value and the Y-axisoutput value may refer to values that are obtained by normalizing outputvalues of the X-axis and Y-axis fluxgates. Equation (5) may be used whenthe motion sensor is implemented by using the 2-axis fluxgategeomagnetic sensor only.

When the motion sensor includes both the 3-axis fluxgate geomagneticsensor and the acceleration sensor, the yaw angle may be calculated moreprecisely using the pitch angle and the roll angle which are calculatedby the acceleration sensor. The controller 120 may calculate the yawangle using Equation (6):

$\begin{matrix}{\psi = {\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{{Y_{noram}*\cos\;\phi} - {Z_{norm}*\sin\;\phi}}{\begin{matrix}{{X_{noram}*\cos\;\theta} - {Y_{noram}*\sin\;\theta*\sin\;\phi} -} \\{Z_{noram}*\sin\;\theta*\cos\;\phi}\end{matrix}} \right)}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu}(6)}\end{matrix}$

In Equation (6), X_(norm), Y_(norm), and Z_(norm) are values that areobtained by normalizing output values of axes of an X, Y, and Z-axisfluxgate geomagnetic sensor, θ is a pitch angle, and Ø is a roll angle.Equation (6) is an equation that is set when the value of the Z-axisperpendicular to the horizontal surface is set as a negative number.Equation (6) may have its sign changed according to an axis placementshape of the 3-axis fluxgate in the geomagnetic sensor which is mountedin the flexible apparatus 100.

When the motion sensor is implemented by using the gyro sensor, arelative position which is changed from a previous position by rotationis calculated by integrating an angular velocity of rotation which issensed by the gyro sensor when the point where the gyro sensor is placedis moved with respect to time. An algorithm for calculating the relativeposition may be well-known algorithms. For example, a quaternionalgorithm may be used. The controller 120 may determine a whole motionby comparing relative positions sensed by the motion sensors.

FIG. 22 is a system for controlling an external apparatus using aflexible apparatus according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 22, the external apparatus is implemented by using adisplay apparatus 100 such as a television (TV). The flexible apparatus100 may be connected to the display apparatus in a wired or wirelessmanner.

When a variety of bending shapes is sensed as described above, theflexible apparatus 100 transmits a control signal corresponding to thebending shape to the display apparatus 100. The storage 130 storesinformation on various control commands corresponding to bending shapes.The control command may be a digital code that consists of a combinationof code values such as 0 and 1. The controller 130 may transmit thecontrol command using an IR lamp, or may transmit the control command invarious wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee,and NFC, and may be connected to a wired interface such as a USB and maytransmit the control command.

The display apparatus 200 may perform various operations according to acontrol signal which is transmitted from the flexible apparatus 100. Forexample, the display apparatus 100 may perform various operations suchas turning on, turning off, channel changing, volume control, executingan application, moving a cursor, playing back a content, web browsing,turning a page, and adjusting an image quality.

Although FIG. 22 illustrates a system for controlling the externalapparatus, the flexible apparatus may transmit a control command to aweb server or other various external servers and may provide a servicecorresponding to a bending shape.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flexibledisplay apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 23, the flexible display apparatus refers to anapparatus that has flexibility and has a display function. The flexibledisplay apparatus 100 includes a plurality of motion sensors 110-1 to110-n, a controller 120, a storage 130, a bending sensor 140, a touchsensor 150, and a display 160.

The controller 120 may sense a bending shape using the plurality ofmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-n as described in the above-describedvarious embodiments. However, the controller 120 may also sense thebending shape using the bending sensor 140 and the touch sensor 150 aswell. The bending sensor 140 includes a bend sensor and the touch sensor150 includes a touch sensor. This is described below.

The display 160 displays various screens under the control of thecontroller 120. The display 160 may display a desktop screen includingvarious icons, a lock screen, a standby screen, an application executionscreen, a content playback screen, a folder screen, and a web browsingscreen. The controller 120 may configure a screen corresponding to abending shape and display the screen on the display 160. An example ofthe operation corresponding to the bending shape is described below. Thedisplay 160 should have flexibility to be bent along with the body ofthe flexible apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of adisplay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 24, the display 160 includes a substrate 111, a driver112, a display panel 113, and a protection layer 114.

The substrate 111 may be a plastic substrate (e.g., a polymer film)which is deformable by an external pressure. The plastic substrate has astructure which is formed by barrier coating opposite surfaces of a basefilm. The base film may be implemented using various resins, such asPolylmide (PI), PolyCarbonate (PC), polyethyleneterephtalate (PET),polyethersulfone (PES), polythylenenaphthalate (PEN), and FiberReinforced Plastic (FRP). The barrier coating is performed on theopposite surfaces of the base film. An organic membrane or an inorganicmembrane may be used for the purpose of maintaining flexibility. Thesubstrate 111 may also be formed of a flexible material such as thinglass or metal foil.

The driver 112 drives the display panel 113. The driver 112 applies adriving voltage to a plurality of pixels which constitute the displaypanel 113, and may be implemented by using a-si TFT, a Low TemperaturePoly Silicon (LTPS) TFT, or an Organic TFT (OTFT) and so on. The driver112 may also be implemented in various forms according to the form ofthe display panel 113.

For example, the display panel 113 may include an organic light emittingsubstance which includes a plurality of pixel cells, and an electrodelayer which covers opposite surfaces of the organic light emittingsubstance. The driver 112 may include a plurality of transistorscorresponding to the plurality of pixel cells of the display panel 113.The controller 130 applies an electric signal to a gate of eachtransistor and controls the pixel cells connected to the transistors toemit light. Accordingly, various screens are displayed.

The display panel 113 may be implemented by using an ElectroLuminescentdisplay (EL), an ElectroPhoretic Display (EPD), an ElectroChromicDisplay (ECD), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Active Matrix LCD(AMLCD), and a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), in addition to (or insteadof) an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). When the display panel 113is embodied by the LCD, the display panel 113 cannot emit light byitself and thus may require a separate backlight unit. When the LCD doesnot use backlight, the LCD may use ambient light. In order to use theLCD display panel 113 without the backlight unit, an environment such asan outdoor environment which admits plenty of light may be used tooperate the LCD.

The protection layer 114 protects the display panel 113. For example,the protection layer 114 may be made of ZrO, CeO2, or ThO2. Theprotection layer 114 may be manufactured as a transparent film and maycover the entire surface of the display panel 113.

Unlike in FIG. 24, the display 160 may also be implemented by usingelectronic paper (e-paper). The e-paper is a display that appliesgeneral ink characteristics to paper, and is different from a generalflat panel display in that it uses reflected light. The electronic papermay change a picture or text using electrophoresis, which uses a twistball or a capsule.

When the display 160 includes elements which are made of a transparentmaterial, the display 160 may be implemented as a display apparatus thatis bendable and transparent. For example, when the substrate 111 is madeof a polymer material such as plastic having transparency, the driver112 is implemented by using a transparent transistor, and the displaypanel 113 is implemented by using a transparent organic light emittinglayer and a transparent electrode, the display 160 may havetransparency.

The transparent transistor refers to a transistor that is manufacturedby substituting opaque silicon of an existing thin film transistor witha transparent material such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Thetransparent electrode may be made of advanced materials such as IndiumTin Oxide (ITO) or graphene. Graphene refers to a material that has aplanar structure of a honeycomb shape in which carbon atoms areconnected to one another, and has transparency. The transparent organiclight emitting layer may be implemented by using various materials.

The display 160 may be formed on an overall area or some areas of theflexible display apparatus 100. The motion sensors 110-1 to 110-n, thebending sensor 140, and the touch sensor 150 described above may beprovided in the display 160 and may sense whether the display 160 isbent or not.

In the above-described embodiments, the controller 120 may determine thebending shape using a result of sensing by the bending sensor 140 inaddition to the result of sensing by the motion sensors. The bendingsensor 140 may include a bend sensor. The number and shape of bendsensors are variable. Various examples of the shape of the bend sensorand a method for sensing bending thereof are described below.

Method for Sensing Bending Using Bend Sensor

FIGS. 25 to 38 are views to illustrate various methods for sensing abending shape of a flexible display apparatus using a bend sensoraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 25, the flexible display apparatus 100 may include abend sensor which is disposed on one surface such as a front surface ora rear surface of the display 160, or a bend sensor which is disposed onopposite surfaces of the display 160. The bending sensor 140 receives avalue sensed by the bend sensor and transmits the value to thecontroller 120.

The bend sensor refers to a sensor that can be bent and has a resistancevalue which varies according to a degree of bending. The bend sensor maybe implemented in various forms such as an optical fiber bend sensor, apressure sensor, and a strain gauge.

The controller 120 may sense a resistance value of the bend sensor usinga level of a voltage applied to the bend sensor or a magnitude of acurrent flowing in the bend sensor, and may sense a bending state at alocation of the corresponding bend sensor according to the resistancevalue.

In FIG. 25, the bend sensors may be embedded in a front surface of thedisplay 160. However, this is merely an example and the bend sensors maybe embedded in a rear surface of the display 160 or may be embedded inboth surfaces. The shapes, number, and locations of the bend sensors mayalso be variously changed. For example, a single bend sensor or aplurality of bend sensors may be connected with the display 160. Thesingle bend sensor may sense a single bending data and may have aplurality of sensing channels to sense a plurality of bending data.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a plurality of bar-shaped bend sensorswhich are arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction ina grid pattern.

Referring to FIG. 25, the bending sensor 140 includes bend sensors 21-1to 21-5 which are arranged in a first direction, and bend sensors 22-1to 22-5 which are arranged in a second direction which is perpendicularto the first direction. The bend sensors are disposed away from oneanother by a predetermined distance.

In FIG. 25, five bend sensors (21-1 to 21-5, 22-1 to 22-5) are arrangedin each of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in a gridformation. However, this is merely an example and the number of bendsensors may be changed according to a size of the flexible displayapparatus. The bend sensors are arranged in the horizontal direction andthe vertical direction to sense bending from the entire area of theflexible display apparatus. Accordingly, when only a part of theflexible display apparatus is flexible or when the flexible displayapparatus needs to sense bending from only a part of the apparatus, thebend sensor may be arranged in only a corresponding portion of theapparatus.

Each of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5, 22-1 to 22-5 may be implementedby using an electric resistance sensor which uses an electricresistance, or a micro optical fiber sensor which uses a strain of anoptical fiber. The bend sensor is described below under the assumptionthat the bend sensor is the electric resistance sensor for theconvenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 26, when the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent sothat the center area with reference to left and right edges is orienteddownwardly, tension caused by bending is exerted to the bend sensors21-1 to 21-5 which are arranged in the horizontal direction.Accordingly, the resistance value of each of the bend sensors 21-1 to21-5 arranged in the horizontal direction is changed. The bending sensor140 senses the change in the output value output from each of the bendsensor 21-1 to 21-5 and thus determines that bending is performed in thehorizontal direction with reference to the center of a display surface.

In FIG. 26, the center area is bent in a downward direction (a Z−direction) which is perpendicular to the display surface. However, evenwhen the center area is bent in an upward direction (a Z+ direction)with reference to the display surface, the bending may be sensed basedon the change in the output values of the bend sensors 21-1 to 21-5arranged in the horizontal direction. FIG. 10 illustrates bending in theZ+ direction.

Referring to FIG. 27, when the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent sothat the center area with reference to upper and lower edges is orientedupwardly, tension is exerted to the bend sensors 22-1 to 22-5 which arearranged in the vertical direction. The bending sensor 140 may senseshape deformation of the vertical direction based on the output valuesof the bend sensors 22-1 to 22-5 arranged in the vertical direction.

Although the bending in the Z+ direction is illustrated in FIG. 27,bending in the Z− direction may also be sensed using the bend sensors22-1 to 22-5 which are arranged in the vertical direction. FIG. 28illustrates bending in the Z− direction.

When shape deformation occurs in a diagonal direction, tension isexerted to all of the bend sensors which are arranged in the horizontaldirection and the vertical direction. Accordingly, the shape deformationof the diagonal direction may be sensed based on the output values ofthe bend sensors which are arranged in the horizontal and verticaldirections.

When the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent, the bend sensors, whichare arranged on one surface or opposite surfaces of the flexible displayapparatus 100, are also bent and have resistance values corresponding toa magnitude of exerted tension, and output values corresponding to theresistance values.

The magnitude of the tension increases in proportion to a degree ofbending. For example, when the greatest degree of bending occurs on thecenter area, the greatest tension is exerted to the bend sensor which isdisposed on the center area and the bend sensor has the greatestresistance value. On the other hand, the degree of bending decreasestoward the outside. Accordingly, the bend sensor has smaller resistancevalues as the bend sensor goes away from the center.

When the resistance value output from the bend sensor has the greatestvalue at a specific point and gradually decreases in outward directions,the bending sensor 140 may determine that the area from which thegreatest resistance value is sensed is most significantly bent. When anarea has no change in the resistance value, the bending sensor 140determines that the area is a flat area in which bending is notperformed. When an area has the resistance value changed more than apredetermined value, determines that the area is a bent area in which adegree of bending occurs.

The controller 120 may sense a size of a bending line, a direction ofthe bending line, a location of the bending line, a number of bendinglines, a number of times that bending is performed, a bending speed of ashape deformation, a size of a bending area, a location of the bendingarea, and a number of bending areas, based on a relationship between thepoints at which a change in the resistance value is sensed.

When a distance between the points at which the change in the resistancevalue is sensed lies within a predetermined distance, the points aresensed as one bending area. On the other hand, when the distance betweenthe points at which the change in the resistance value is sensed liesbeyond the predetermined distance, different bending areas aredelineated with reference to these points.

Folding refers to a state in which the flexible display apparatus 100 isbent by more than a predetermined angle. When the resistance valuesensed by the bending sensor 140 is greater than or equal to apredetermined value, the flexible display apparatus 100 determines thatfolding is performed. When the resistance value is less than thepredetermined value, the flexible display apparatus 100 determines thatgeneral bending is performed.

When the flexible display apparatus 100 is bendable to such an extentthat two edges meet with each other, the controller 130 may determinewhether the bending is folding, considering touch as well. When theright edge of the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent in the Z+direction and is folded toward the front surface, areas further awayfrom each other are brought into contact with each other on the frontsurface of the flexible display apparatus. In this case, touch is sensedin one area of the display surface and a change in the resistance valueis greater than that in normal bending. Accordingly, the controller 120calculates a distance from the edge where bending occurs to the bendingline, and, when touch is sensed at a point which is further away fromthe bending line in the opposite direction as much as the calculateddistance, the controller 120 determines that folding is performed.

When folding is performed, the folding area is divided into two areaswith reference to a folding line. The folding line refers to a linewhich connects points at which the greatest resistance value is outputin each folding area. The meaning of the folding line may be the same asthat of the bending line.

When folding is sensed, the controller 120 may perform a differentoperation from that of normal bending. For example, the controller 120may display a different screen on each folding area.

As described above, the flexible display apparatus 100 may be rolledlike paper. The controller 120 may determine whether rolling isperformed or not using a result sensing by the motion sensors 110-1 to110-n. A method for determining a rolling using the bend sensor isdescribed below.

FIGS. 28 to 30 are views to illustrate a method for sensing a rolling ofthe flexible display apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 28-30, the rolling is also determined based on abending angle. For example, if bending of more than a predeterminedbending angle is sensed over a predetermined area, the bendingcorresponds to a rolling deformation. On the other hand, if bending ofless than the predetermined bending angle is sensed in an arearelatively smaller than that of rolling, the bending corresponds to afolding deformation. The normal bending, folding, and rolling describedabove may be determined based on a radius of curvature besides thebending angle.

A state in which the rolled flexible display apparatus 100 has asubstantially circular or oval cross section may be set to correspond torolling, regardless of a radius of curvature.

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross section view when the flexible displayapparatus 100 is rolled. As described above, when the flexible displayapparatus 100 is rolled, tension is exerted to bend sensors which arearranged on one surface or opposite surfaces of the flexible displayapparatus. In this case, since magnitudes of tension exerted to the bendsensors are deemed to be similar within a predetermined range,resistance values output from the bend sensors are also similar within apredetermined range.

In order to perform the rolling, bending should be performed to have acurvature greater than a predetermined curvature. When the rolling isperformed, a bending area greater than that of normal bending or foldingis formed. Accordingly, when bending of an angle greater than apredetermined bending angle is performed continuously on an area greaterthan a predetermined size, the controller 120 determines that rolling isperformed. In the rolling state, the front surface and the rear surfaceof the flexible display apparatus are brought into contact with eachother. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, when one edge of the flexibledisplay apparatus 100 is bent in the Z+ direction and is rolled inwardthe display surface, the display surfaces, (i.e., the front surface andthe rear surface on which a bend sensor 50-1 is disposed) are broughtinto contact with each other.

Accordingly, in another example, the controller 120 may determinewhether the flexible display apparatus 100 is rolled according towhether the front surface and the rear surface of the flexible displayapparatus 100 are brought into contact with each other or not. In thiscase, the bending sensor 140 may include the touch sensor 150 asdescribed above. When the resistance values output from the bend sensorsare similar within a predetermined range and touch is sensed by thetouch sensors disposed on the front surface and the rear surface of theflexible display apparatus, the controller 120 determines that theflexible display apparatus is rolled. The controller 120 may determinewhether the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent and some areas of theflexible display apparatus 100 are brought into contact with each otheror are close to each other using a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor,or a proximity sensor instead of the touch sensor.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are views to illustrate a method for delineating arolling area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the rolling area refers to an entire areaof the flexible display apparatus which is bent and rolled. Like in anormal bending or folding, the rolling area refers to one or two or moreareas which include all points of bend sensors at which differentresistance values from those of the original state are output. Themethod for defining and dividing the rolling area is the same as that ofthe bending or folding area, and thus a redundant explanation isomitted.

When the flexible display apparatus 100 is wholly rolled as shown inFIG. 29, an entire area 51 of the flexible display apparatus 100 isdefined as the rolling area. When the flexible display apparatus 100 isrolled in part and points at which different resistance values fromthose of the original state are output and are distanced from each otherby a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 30, then partial areas 52and 53 of the flexible display apparatus 100 are delineated as differentrolling areas.

As described above, the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent invarious shapes and the controller 120 senses each bending state based ona result of sensing by the bending sensor 140. The controller 120 maysense a bending shape, a bending location, and a bending direction basedon a result of sensing by the bending sensor 140.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are views to illustrate a method for determining adegree of bending according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the flexible display apparatus 100determines a degree of bending of the flexible display apparatus 100using a change in the resistance value output from the bend sensor at apredetermined interval.

The controller 120 calculates a difference between a resistance value ofa point where the greatest resistance value of a bend sensor is outputand a resistance value output at a point which is disposed away from thepoint of the greatest resistance value by a predetermined distance.

The controller 120 determines a degree of bending using the calculateddifference in the resistance value. The flexible display apparatus 100divides the degree of bending into a plurality of levels, matches eachlevel with a resistance value of a predetermined range, and stores thematched values.

Accordingly, the flexible display apparatus 100 determines the degree ofbending according to which level of the plurality of levels correspondsto the calculated resistance value difference.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the degree of bending isdetermined based on a difference between a resistance value output at apoint a5 where a bend sensor 61 disposed on the rear surface of theflexible display apparatus 100 outputs the greatest resistance value,and a resistance value output at a point a4 which is disposed away fromthe point a5 by a predetermined distance.

A level corresponding to the resistance value difference, which iscalculated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, is identifiedfrom among the plurality of pre-stored levels, and a degree of bendingis determined based on the identified level. The degree of bending maybe represented by a bending angle or an intensity of bending.

Since the degree of bending illustrated in FIG. 32 is greater than thatof FIG. 31, the difference between the resistance value output at thepoint a5 and the resistance value output at the point a4 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 32 is greater than the difference between theresistance value output at the point a5 and the resistance value outputthe point a4 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 31. Accordingly, when theflexible display apparatus 100 is bent as shown in FIG. 32, thecontroller 120 may determine that the degree of bending is increased.

The controller 120 may perform an appropriate operation according to adegree of bending. For example, when the degree of bending is increasedwhile a channel changing operation is performed, the controller 120 mayincrease a channel changing speed or may extend a channel changingrange. On the other hand, when the degree of bending is decreased, thechannel changing is performed more slowly or within a smaller number ofchannels. Volume control or content conversion may be performeddifferently according to the degree of bending.

As described above, the flexible display apparatus 100 may be bent indifferent directions, a Z+ direction or a Z− direction.

The bending direction may be sensed in various ways. For example, twobend sensors may be disposed one on the other and the bend direction isdetermined based on a difference of change in the resistance value ofeach bend sensor. A method for sensing a bending direction usingoverlapping bend sensors is described below with reference to FIGS. 33to 35.

For the convenience of explanation, in FIGS. 33 to 35, the method isexplained on the assumption that normal bending is performed. However,the same method may be applied to folding or rolling.

Referring to FIG. 33, two bend sensors 71 and 72 may be disposedoverlapping each other on one side of the display 160. In this case,when bending is performed in one direction, different resistance valuesare output from the upper bend sensor 71 and the lower bend sensor 72 ata point where the bending is performed. Accordingly, a bending directionmay be determined by comparing the resistance values of the two bendsensors 71 and 72 at the same point.

When the flexible display apparatus 100 is bent in the Z+ direction asshown in FIG. 34, tension exerted to the lower bend sensor 72 is greaterthan that of the upper bend sensor 71 at a point ‘A’ corresponding to abending line.

On the other hand, when the flexible display apparatus 100 is benttoward the rear surface as shown in FIG. 35, tension exerted to theupper bend sensor 71 is greater than that of the lower bend sensor 72.

Accordingly, the controller 120 senses the bending direction bycomparing the resistance values of the two bend sensors 71 and 72 at thepoint A.

Although the two bend sensors are disposed overlapping each other on oneside of the display 160 in FIGS. 33 to 35, the bend sensors may bedisposed on opposite surfaces of the display 160.

FIG. 36 illustrates the two bend sensors 71 and 72 which are disposed onthe opposite surfaces of the display 160. Accordingly, when the flexibledisplay apparatus 100 is bent in a first direction perpendicular to thescreen, (i.e., the Z+ direction), the bend sensor which is disposed on afirst surface of the opposite surfaces of the display 160 is subject toa compressive force, whereas the bend sensor which is disposed on asecond surface is subject to tension. On the other hand, when theflexible display apparatus 100 is bent in a second direction opposite tothe first direction, (i.e., the Z− direction), the bend sensor disposedon the second surface is subject to a compressive force, whereas thebend sensor disposed on the first surface is subject to tension. Asdescribed above, the different values are detected from the two bendsensors according to the bend direction and the controller 120determines the bending direction according to a detection characteristicof the value.

Although the bending direction is sensed using the two bend sensors inFIGS. 33 to 36, the bending direction may be sensed using only a straingauge disposed on one surface of the display 160. A compressive force ortension is exerted to the strain gauge disposed on one surface accordingto a bending direction, and thus a bending direction can be determinedby identifying a characteristic of the output value.

The bend sensor 71 may be implemented in a form of a looped curveforming a circle, a quadrangle, or other polygons, and may be disposedalong an edge of the display 160. The controller 120 may determine apoint at which a change in an output value of the looped curve is sensedto be a bending area. The bend sensor may be connected to the display160 in a form of an open curve such as an S shape, a Z shape, or azigzag shape. The two bend sensors may intersect.

Although line type bend sensors are used in the above-described variousembodiments, bending may be sensed using a plurality of separate straingauges.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are views to illustrate a method for sensing bendingusing a plurality of strain gauges according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The strain gauge uses metal or a semiconductor inwhich a resistance is greatly changed according to an applied force, andsenses deformation of a surface of an object to be measured according toa change in the resistance value. It is common that a material such asmetal increases a resistance value when its length is stretched by anexternal force, and decreases the resistance value when the length iscontracted. Accordingly, it is determined whether bending is performedby sensing a change in the resistance value.

Referring to FIG. 37, a plurality of strain gauges are arranged along anedge of the display 160. The number of strain gauges may be changedaccording to a size and a shape of the display 160, or a predeterminedbending sensing resolution, etc.

In the state in which the strain gauges are arranged as shown in FIG.37, a user may bend a certain point in an arbitrary direction. When acertain corner is bent as shown in FIG. 38, a force is exerted to astrain gauge 80-x overlapped with a bending line from among straingauges 80-1 to 80-n which are arranged in a horizontal direction.Accordingly, an output value of the corresponding strain gauge 80-xincreases in comparison with output values of the other strain gauges. Aforce is also exerted to a strain gauge 80-y overlapped with the bendingline from among strain gauges 80-n, 80-n+1 to 80-m which are arranged ina vertical direction, and thus an output value is changed. Thecontroller 120 determines that a line connecting the two strain gauges80-x and 80-y in which the output values are changed is a bending line.

Method for Using Motion Sensors and Bend Sensors and Calibration Thereof

As described above, the flexible display apparatus 100 may determine abending shape using the motion sensors and the bend sensors altogether.

FIG. 39 is a view illustrating a configuration of a flexible displayapparatus which includes a motion sensor and a bend sensor according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 39, a plurality of bend sensors 80-1 to 80-m arearranged along an edge area of the flexible display apparatus 100. A gapbetween the bend sensors may be constantly maintained, and the bendsensors may be arranged more densely on a portion where bending isfrequently performed and may be arranged with a large gap therebetweenon a portion where bending is rarely performed.

The motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 may be disposed along with the bendsensors. In FIG. 39, two motion sensors 110-1 and 110-2 are disposed onthe left and right edges of the flexible apparatus 100. However, thenumber and location of the motion sensors may be variously changed.

The controller 120 may determine a bending shape using the bend sensorsand the motion sensors collectively. For example, when a bending line isdetermined by the two bend sensors as shown in FIG. 38 and a motion issensed by the motion sensor which is disposed on one of the two areasdivided by the bending line, the controller 120 may determine a bendingshape of a corresponding portion based on the motion direction.

The controller 120 may determine a bending line or a bending area usingthe bend sensor, and may determine a bending direction or a degree ofbending using the motion sensor. Accordingly, the controller 120 maydetermine a bending shape by combining the results of sensing by thebend sensor and the motion sensor.

The controller 120 may determine a bending shape based on sensing valuesof the bend sensors and determine a bending shape using the motionsensors, and may finally determine that corresponding bending isperformed when the results of the determining are consistent with eachother. When the results of the determining are not consistent with eachother, the controller 120 may determine the bending shape again. Whenthe bending shape is determined using the different types of sensorscollectively as described above, the accuracy may be further improved.

When the bend sensors are used, an error characteristic of the bendsensors may be changed due to long use of the flexible apparatus or anenvironmental effect (temperature, humidity, or etc.). For example, whenthe bend sensors are used for a long time, the bend sensors may stretchand thus the resistance value at the bending time may be different fromthat of the initial state.

The controller 120 may perform a calibration operation to compensate forthe error characteristic of the bend sensors. When a predeterminedcalibration shape is sensed, the controller 120 calculates acompensation value based on the sensing values output from the bendsensors while the calibration shape is sensed, and performs thecalibration operation to compensate for the sensing values of the bendsensors using the calculated compensation value.

The calibration shape refers to a bending shape which is set to performthe calibration operation of the flexible apparatus 100. For example,the calibration shape refers to bending that is sensed when the flexibleapparatus 100 is bent or rolled to have its opposite ends brought intocontact with each other and thus bending is sensed by all of the bendsensors disposed on the overall area of the flexible apparatus 100.

The controller 120 may determine whether the calibration shape is sensedor not using the motion sensors and the bend sensors. The motion sensorsmay be used normally even when an error is generated in the outputvalues of the bend sensors, and thus the controller 120 may determinewhether the calibration shape is sensed or not based on only the outputvalues of the motion sensors.

Information on the calibration shape is stored in the storage 130. Themanufacturer of the flexible apparatus 100 may measure the output valuesof the bend sensors when the calibration shape is performed on theflexible apparatus 100 prior to releasing the product, and may store theoutput values in the storage 130. The sensing values output from thebend sensors when the calibration shape is taken are determined as idealsensing values, and are stored in the storage 130.

FIGS. 40 and 41 are graphs to illustrate a calibration operationaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 40, the controller 120 compares an output value(S_(out)) which is output from the bend sensor when the calibrationshape is taken, and an ideal sensing value (S_(ideal)) which is storedin the storage 130. In this case, white noise is included in the realoutput value (S_(out)) as shown in FIG. 40. The controller 120 removesthe white noise by averaging the real output values (S_(out)) on apredetermined time basis.

FIG. 41 illustrates a vias value (S_(vias)) of the real output valuefrom which the white noise is removed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 41, the controller 120 compares the vias value(S_(vias)) and the ideal sensing value (S_(ideal)) and determines adifference between them as a compensation value, and stores thedetermined compensation value in the storage 130. Accordingly, thecalibration operation is completed.

The controller 120 may compensate for the error by deducting thecompensation value from an output value which is output from the bendsensor when the calibration shape is withdrawn. Although the vias valueis sensed greater than the ideal sensing value in FIG. 41, the viasvalue may be sensed less than the ideal sensing value according to aplacement location of the bend sensor and a characteristic of thecalibration shape. In this case, the controller 120 may compensate forthe error by adding the compensation value to the real output value.

In the above-described embodiment, the controller 120 automaticallyperforms the calibration operation when the calibration shape is sensed.However, the calibration operation may start according to a separatecommand. For example, the controller 120 may perform the calibrationoperation when a button provided on a body of the flexible apparatus 100is pressed by the user or a calibration menu displayed on the screen ofthe flexible apparatus 100 is pressed. In this case, when selection ofthe button or the calibration menu is sensed, the controller 120 mayoutput a guide message to ask whether to take the calibration shapethrough the screen or speaker. When the user takes the calibration shapewithin a predetermined time, the controller 120 may perform thecalibration operation using an output value which is output from thebend sensor at that state.

In FIGS. 40 and 41, the compensation value is calculated by comparingthe output values and the ideal output value which has been alreadystored. However, a reference value may be changed through thecalibration operation. For example, when the calibration operationstarts, the controller 120 calculates the vias value by averaging theoutput values output from the bend sensors when the calibration shape ismaintained. The controller 120 sets the calculated vias value as areference value and stores the value in the storage 130. When thecalibration shape is withdrawn, the controller 120 determines thebending state by comparing the output values output from the bendsensors after that and the reference value stored in the storage 130.According to the present embodiment, the user frequently performs thecalibration operation and updates the reference value, so that theaccuracy of determination of the bending shape can be improved.

The flexible apparatus 100 may be implemented by using a generalapparatus without a display function, or may be implemented by using aflexible display apparatus with a display function as described above.The flexible apparatus 100 may be implemented by using a portableapparatus such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), a laptop PC, and an electronic book from among theflexible display apparatuses. In particular, when the flexible apparatus100 is implemented by using a portable apparatus such as a smartphonewhich has become popular recently, the flexible apparatus 100 mayinclude various elements.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a flexibleapparatus which includes various elements according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 42, the flexible apparatus includes a plurality ofmotion sensors 110-1 to 110-n, a controller 120, a storage 130, abending sensor 140, a touch sensor 150, a display 160, a GPS receiver165, a DMB receiver 166, a graphic processor 170, a power supply 180, anaudio processor 181, a video processor 182, a speaker 183, a button 184,a USB port 185, a camera 186, a microphone 187, and a communicator 190.

The configurations and the operations of the motion sensors 110-1 to110-n, the bending sensor 140, and the display 160 have been describedabove in detail.

The touch sensor 150 may include a touch sensor which is implemented byusing a capacitive type or a resistive type of sensor. The capacitivetype calculates touch coordinates by sensing minute electricity excitedin a user's body when a part of the user's body touches the surface ofthe display 160, using a dielectric substance coated on the surface ofthe display 160. The resistive type includes two electrode plates, and,when a user touches a screen, calculates touch coordinates by sensing anelectric current flowing due to contact between upper and lower platesat the touched point. As described above, the touch sensor may beembodied in various forms. The controller 120 may determine a shape of atouch manipulation based on a sensing signal which is sensed by thetouch sensor 150. The touch manipulation may include simple touch, tap,touch and hold, move, flick, drag and drop, pinch in, and pinch out.

Although not shown in FIG. 42, the flexible apparatus may include apressure sensor, a proximity sensor, and a grip sensor in addition tothe bending sensor 140 and the touch sensor 150.

The pressure sensor senses a magnitude of pressure exerted to theflexible apparatus 100 when the user performs a touch or bendingmanipulation, and provides the magnitude of pressure to the controller120. The pressure sensor may include a piezo film which is embedded inthe display 160 and outputs an electric signal corresponding to themagnitude of pressure. When the touch sensor 150 is implemented by usinga resistive touch sensor, the resistive touch sensor may also performthe function of the pressure sensor. The proximity sensor senses amotion which approaches without directly contacting the display surface.The proximity sensor may be implemented by using various types ofsensors such as a high-frequency oscillation type proximity sensor whichforms a high frequency magnetic field and detects an electric currentinduced by a magnetic characteristic which is changed when an objectapproaches, a magnetic type proximity sensor which uses a magnet, and acapacitive type proximity sensor which detects capacitance that changeswhen an object approaches, etc. The grip sensor is disposed on a border,a bezel, or a handle of the flexible apparatus separately from thepressure sensor, and senses a user's grip. The grip sensor may beimplemented by using a pressure sensor or a touch sensor.

The controller 120 determines a bending shape of the user by analyzingvarious sensing signals which are generated by various types of sensorssuch as the motion sensor 110-1 to 110-n, the bending sensor 140, thetouch sensor 150, the pressure sensor, the proximity sensor, and thegrip sensor, and performs an operation corresponding to the bendingshape. The controller 120 may perform a control operation according tovarious input methods such as a touch manipulation, motion input, voiceinput, and button input, besides the bending.

The controller 120 may execute an application which is stored in thestorage 130, may configure an execution screen of the application, andmay display the execution screen. The controller 120 may play backvarious contents which are stored in the storage 130. The controller 120may communicate with external apparatuses through the communicator 190.

The communicator 190 may communicate with various types of externalapparatuses according to various communication methods. The communicator190 may include various communication chips such as a Wi-Fi chip 191, aBluetooth chip 192, a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip 193, and awireless communication chip 194.

The Wi-Fi chip 191, the Bluetooth chip 192, and the NFC chip 193communicate with external apparatuses in a Wi-Fi method, a Bluetoothmethod, and an NFC method, respectively. The NFC chip 193 is operated inthe NFC method, which uses 13.56 MHz from among various RF-ID frequencybands such as 135 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 860˜960 MHz, and 2.45 GHz.When the Wi-Fi chip 191 or the Bluetooth chip 192 is used, a variety ofconnection information such as an SSID and a session key is exchangedand connection is established using the connection information, and avariety of information is exchanged. The wireless communication chip 194communicates with external apparatuses according various communicationstandards such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3^(rd) generation (3G), 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and Long Term Evolution (LTE).

The GPS receiver 165 receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite andcalculates a current position of the flexible apparatus 100.

The DMB receiver 166 receives and processes a DMB signal.

The graphic processor 170 generates a screen including various objectssuch as an icon, an image, and text using a calculator (not shown) and arenderer (not shown). The calculator calculates attribute values of eachobject to be displayed according to a layout of the screen, such ascoordinates values, a shape, a size, and a color. The renderer generatesa screen of various layouts including objects based on the attributevalues calculated by the calculator. The screen generated by therenderer is displayed on a display area of the display 160.

The power supply 180 is an element that supplies power to each elementof the flexible apparatus 100. The power supply 180 may include an anodecollector, an anode electrode, an electrolyte, a cathode electrode, acathode collector, and a sheath enclosing the aforementioned elements.The power supply 180 may be implemented by using a secondary cell whichcan be charged or discharge electricity. The power supply 180 may beimplemented in a flexible form so that the power supply 180 can be bentalong with the flexible apparatus 100. In this case, the collectors, theelectrodes, the electrolyte, and the sheath may be made of flexiblematerials. A detailed configuration and materials of the power supply180 will be explained in detail below.

The audio processor 181 is an element that processes audio data. Theaudio processor 181 may perform various processing operations such asdecoding, amplification, and noise filtering with respect to the audiodata.

The video processor 182 is an element that processes video data. Thevideo processor 182 may perform various image processing operations suchas decoding, scaling, noise filtering, frame rate conversion, andresolution conversion with respect to the video data.

The audio processor 181 and the video processor 182 may be used toprocess multimedia content or DMB signals and reproduce them.

The display 160 displays a video frame processed by the video processor182 and the screen generated by the graphic processor 170.

The speaker 183 outputs various notification sounds or voice messages aswell as various audio data processed by the audio processor 181.

The button 184 may be implemented by using various kinds of buttons suchas a mechanical button, a touch button, and a wheel, which are formed ona certain area of the flexible apparatus 100, such as a front surface, aside surface, and a bottom surface of a body exterior of the flexibleapparatus 100.

The USB port 185 may communicate with various external apparatusesthrough a USB cable.

The camera 186 is an element that captures a still image or a movingpicture according to control of the user. The camera 186 may be aplurality of cameras including a front camera and a rear camera.

The microphone 187 receives a user's voice or other sounds and convertsthe sounds into audio data. The controller 120 may use the user's voiceinput through the microphone 187 for a call process or may convert theuser voice to audio data and store the audio data in the storage 130.

When the camera 186 and the microphone 187 are provided, the controller120 may perform control operations according to a user voice which isinput through the microphone 187 or a user motion which is recognized bythe camera 186. The flexible apparatus 100 may be controlled by shapedeformation or touch and also may be operated in a motion control modeor a voice control mode. In the motion control mode, the controller 120activates the camera 186 and captures a user, traces a change in theuser motion, and performs a corresponding control operation. In thevoice control mode, the controller 120 may perform voice recognition byanalyzing a user voice input through the microphone 187 and performing acontrol operation according to the analyzed user voice.

In addition, the flexible apparatus 100 may further include variousexternal input ports to be connected to various external terminals, suchas a headset, a mouse, and a Local Area Network (LAN).

The above-described operation of the controller 120 may be performed bya program which is stored in the storage 130. The storage 130 may storeOperating System (O/S) software to drive the flexible apparatus 100,various applications, various data which is input or set when anapplication is executed, and various data such as content, bendingshapes, characteristic information of motion sensors, and referenceinformation.

The controller 120 controls the overall operation of the flexibleapparatus 100 using various programs stored in the storage 130.

The controller 120 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 121, a ReadOnly Memory (ROM) 122, a timer 123, a main Central Processing Unit (CPU)124, first to nth interfaces 125-1˜125-n, and a bus 126.

The RAM 121, the ROM 122, the timer 123, the main CPU 124, and the firstto the nth interfaces 125-1˜125-n may be connected to one anotherthrough the bus 126.

The first to the nth interfaces 125-1˜125-n are connected to theabove-described various elements. One of these interfaces may be anetwork interface which is connected to an external apparatus through anetwork.

The main CPU 124 accesses the storage 130 and performs booting using theO/S stored in the storage 130. The main CPU 124 performs variousoperations using the various programs, content, and data stored in thestorage 130.

The ROM 122 stores a set of commands to boot the system. When a turn oncommand is input and power is supplied, the main CPU 124 copies the O/Sstored in the storage 130 to the RAM 121 according to a command storedin the ROM 122, executes the O/S and boots the system. When the bootingis completed, the main CPU 124 copies the various applications stored inthe storage 130 into the RAM 121, executes the applications copied intothe RAM 121, and performs various operations.

When a sensing signal of a sensor is received, the main CPU 124 storesdiverse information on the operations at that point of time, such as anapplication or a function that has been performed before, or a screenlayout which is being displayed at that point of time, in the storage130. The main CPU 124 also determines which type of bending is performedbased on the sensing signal.

As described above, the plurality of motion sensors 110-1 to 110-noutput sensing values corresponding to their states when the portionswhere those sensors are arranged are tilted or rotated by bending. Inthis case, signs and sizes of the sensing values of the motion sensors110-1 to 110-n which are disposed on different locations vary accordingto a bending shape. Accordingly, relationships between the sensingvalues are arranged as a database in advance and stored in the storage130. The main CPU 124 executes a program to determine a type of bending.The main CPU 124 may determine a type of bending corresponding tosensing values based on the database which is stored in the storage 130as the program is executed.

The main CPU 124 may control the timer 123 to count a time. Accordingly,when no sensing signal is changed for a predetermined time, the main CPU124 determines that bending and hold is performed. When sensing signalsare not maintained and are continuously changed, and return to theiroriginal values, the main CPU 124 determines that bending and flat inwhich the flexible apparatus is unbent after having been bent isperformed. As described above, the main CPU 124 may distinguish bendingand flat and bending and hold using the timer 123.

When the determination is completed, the main CPU 124 identifiesinformation on a function matched with the determined bending shape fromthe storage 130, loads an application for performing the function intothe RAM 121, and executes the application.

In FIG. 42, the flexible apparatus is illustrated as an apparatus whichis equipped with various functions such as a function of communicating,a function of receiving a broadcast, a function of reproducing a video,and a display function for example, and various elements of the flexibledisplay apparatus 100 are schematically illustrated. Accordingly, someof the elements illustrated in FIG. 42 may be omitted or modified, oranother element may be added.

As described above, the controller 120 may perform various operations byexecuting a program stored in the storage 130.

FIG. 43 is a view to explain software stored in a storage according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 43, software including a base module 131, a sensingmodule 132, a communication module 133, a presentation module 134, a webbrowser module 135, and a service module 136 may be stored in thestorage 130.

The base module 131 processes signals transmitted from hardware includedin the flexible apparatus 100 and transmits the signals to an upperlayer module.

The base module 131 includes a storage module 131-1, a location-basedmodule 131-2, a security module 131-3, and a network module 131-4.

The storage module 131-1 is a program module which manages a DataBase(DB) or a registry. The main CPU 134 may access the database in thestorage 130 using the storage module 131-1, and may read out variousdata. The location-based module 131-2 is a program module which isinterlocked and/or interacts with various hardware such as a GPS chipand supports a location-based service. The security module 131-3 is aprogram module which supports certification for hardware, permission ofa request, and a secure storage. The network module 131-4 is a module tosupport network connection, and includes a Distributed.net (DNET) moduleand a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) module.

The sensing module 132 is a module which collects information fromvarious sensors, and analyzes and manages the collected information. Thesensing module 132 detect manipulation attributes such as coordinatesvalues of a point where touch is performed, a touch moving direction, amoving speed, and a moving distance. The main CPU 124 executes thesensing module 132 and calculates a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yawangle using sensing values which are sensed by the plurality of motionsensors. In this case, the above-described equations may be used. Themain CPU 124 may determine a bending shape by comparing characteristicrelationships of the pitch angle, the roll angle, and the yaw angle anda pre-stored database. When the database is generated based on thesensing values, the main CPU 124 may not calculate the pitch angle, theroll angle, and the yaw angle, and may determine the bending shape bydetecting bending shape information corresponding to the sensing valuessensed by the motion sensors from the database. In addition, accordingto circumstances, the sensing module 132 may include a face recognitionmodule, a voice recognition module, a motion recognition module, and anNFC recognition module.

The communication module 133 is a module to communicate with an externalapparatus. The communication module 133 includes a messaging module133-1, such as a messenger program, a Short Message Service (SMS) andMultimedia Message Service (MMS) program, and an email program, and atelephony module 133-2 which includes a call information aggregatorprogram module and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) module.

The presentation module 134 is a module which generates a displayscreen. The presentation module 134 includes a multimedia module 134-1to reproduce multimedia content and output the multimedia content, and aUser Interface (UI) rendering module 134-2 to process a UI and graphics.The multimedia module 134-1 may include a player module, a camcordermodule, and a sound processing module. Accordingly, the multimediamodule 134-1 generates a screen and a sound by reproducing variousmultimedia content. The UI rendering module 134-2 may include an imagecompositor module to combine images, a coordinate combination module tocombine coordinates on a screen to display an image and generatecoordinates, an X11 module to receive various events from hardware, anda 2D/3D UI toolkit to provide a tool for configuring a UI of a 2D or 3Dformat.

The web browser module 135 is a module which performs web-browsing andaccesses a web server. The web browser module 135 may include a web viewmodule to render and view a web page, a download agent module todownload, a bookmark module, and a web-kit module.

The service module 136 is a module which includes various applicationsto provide services matched with a bending shape when the bending shapeis determined. The service module 136 may include various programmodules such as a navigation program, a content reproducing program, agame program, an e-book program, a calendar program, a notificationmanagement program, and other widgets. Each program module may bematched with various shape deformation states such as bending and flator bending and hold.

Although various program modules are illustrated in FIG. 43, some of theprogram modules may be omitted, modified, or added according to type andcharacteristic of the flexible apparatus 100. For example, if theflexible apparatus 100 is implemented by using a remote controller whichexcludes the display function and controls an external apparatus withonly the flexibility, the presentation module 134, the web browsermodule 135, or the service module 136 may be excluded. In this case,only a module to detect a characteristic of a bending shape and aregistry to indicate information on a control signal matched with thebending shape may be stored in the storage 130.

On the other hand, when the plurality of motion sensors are provided,much power may be consumed in each motion sensor. Accordingly, thecontroller 120 may activate the plurality of motion sensors only whennecessary.

FIGS. 44 and 45 are views to illustrate a method for activating a motionsensor according to a user touch according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 44, the flexible apparatus 100 includes a bezel 3100which is formed along an edge of the display 160.

The bezel 3100 may also be made of a flexible material so that it can bebent along with the display 160. Buttons 3110 and 3120 are provided onthe bezel 3100. When a user touch on at least one of the buttons 3110and 3120 is sensed, the controller 120 may activate the motion sensors.In this case, the other sensors such as bend sensors and touch sensorsmay be activated along with the motion sensors. The activating recitedherein refers to an operation of supplying power to the motion sensors.The controller 120 may activate the sensors for a predetermined timesince a user touch is performed. When bending is sensed from each of thesensors including the motion sensors, the controller 120 extends theactivating time of the sensors.

The user may bend the flexible apparatus 100 while selecting theabove-described buttons 3110 and 3120. When both the buttons 3110 and3120 are touched and bending is performed, the controller 120 mayrecognize that the user is holding and bending the flexible apparatus100 with both hands. When only one button is touched and bending isperformed, the controller 120 may recognize that the user is holding andbending the flexible apparatus 100 with one hand. The controller 120 maydisregard a bending manipulation that is sensed when none of the buttons3110 and 3120 is touched.

Although the two buttons 3110 and 3120 are illustrated in FIG. 44, thenumber of buttons may be changed according to an embodiment andlocations of the buttons may also be changed to various differentlocations. The buttons 3110 and 3120 may also be implemented by using atouch button or other types of buttons besides the mechanical button.

Although FIG. 44 illustrates buttons 3110 and 3120 provided on the bezel3100, the button may be implemented in a dome key form or may beimplemented by using a part of a touch screen panel or a part of a touchpad. Additionally, when the user's grip on a specific location is sensedusing a grip sensor or a proximity sensor which is disposed on aspecific location of the flexible apparatus 100, the controller 120 maydetermine that a button is selected.

Although FIG. 44 illustrates the bezel 3100, the bezel 3100 may beomitted according to a type of the flexible apparatus 100. In this case,a button may be provided on a side of the flexible display apparatus100.

A virtual button may be displayed on the screen of the display 160. FIG.45 is a view illustrating the flexible apparatus 100 which does notinclude the bezel 3100.

Referring to FIG. 45, an entire front surface of the flexible apparatus100 may serve as the display 160. In this case, since there is no bezel3100, there is no space for the buttons 3110 and 3120. Accordingly, inthis case, button menus 3130 and 3140 may be displayed on certain areason the screen 4500. When at least one of the button menus 3130 and 3140is selected, the controller 120 may activate each of the sensorsincluding the motion sensors.

The button menus 3130 and 3140 shown in FIG. 45 may be displayed invarious shapes such as a circle, a quadrangle, and a star shape. Inaddition, a brightness of the buttons may be increased, differentsurface textures may be given to the buttons, or local vibration may begenerated, without marking a location of the button, so that the usercan recognize the location.

According to another embodiment, the button menus 3130 and 3140 may notbe displayed and the sensors may be activated within only apredetermined time since a certain area of the screen 4500 is touched,or only while a certain area of the screen 4500 is touched.

As described above, the flexible apparatus 100 may include varioushardware elements and software elements, and thus may provide variousservices. The services may be matched with bending shapes and may becontrolled by the user. An operation corresponding to a bending shapemay vary according to an application which is executed in the flexibleapparatus when bending is performed.

Examples of various control operations which are performed according tobending shapes are described below.

Examples of Control Operations According to Bending Shapes

FIG. 46 illustrates an example of a control operation which is performedwhen one edge is bent according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 46, the user bending manipulation is performed whenthe flexible apparatus 100 executes a Digital Media Broadcast (DMB)application. In this case, a broadcast screen may be displayed only onthe flat area (F) other than the bending area (B).

In the state in which a broadcast screen 4600 received through broadcastchannel 11 is displayed as shown in FIG. 46, when a user bendingmanipulation including bending one edge in the Z+ direction and thenunbending it is performed as shown in FIG. 46, the flexible apparatus100 may perform a channel changing operation to broadcast screen 4610.Broadcast channel 11 is changed to a previous broadcast channel, such asbroadcast channel 9. When the bending is performed in the Z− directionin the same way or the left edge is bent, broadcast channel 11 ischanged to a next broadcast channel, such as broadcast channel 13.

In FIG. 46, when a bending angle increases, a channel changing speed mayincrease or a channel changing range may increase. That is, channelchanging, which has been performed by one channel, is performed by 5 or10 channels. In FIG. 46, the channel changing operation is performed bythe user bending manipulation. However, this is merely an example.Various other operations may be matched with the bending shape and maybe performed.

FIG. 47 illustrates an example of an operation when bending and touchare simultaneously performed according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 47, the flexible display 100 is executing an e-bookapplication.

Referring to FIG. 47, when the user holds the right edge of the display160 and bends the display 160 in the Z+ direction, the next page (page4) of a current page (page 3) is displayed on the display 160.

When the user continues to bend the right edge in the Z+ direction, thenext page (page 5) is displayed on the display 160.

When the user touches the screen of the display 160 in this process, abookmark is set on the corresponding page.

When the user terminates bending when page 5 is being displayed and theentire area of the display 160 becomes flat, page 5 is continuouslydisplayed on the display 160.

FIG. 48 is a view to explain a swinging operation according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 48, when the user holds the flexible apparatus 100with both hands and moves the flexible apparatus 100 repeatedly up anddown, bending in the Z+ direction and bending in the Z− direction arealternately performed. The method for determining a swinging operationhas been described above and thus a redundant explanation is omitted.

When the swinging operation is performed, the flexible apparatus 100performs an operation corresponding to the swinging operation. Forexample, when a swinging operation is performed while various objectssuch as an icon, an image, text, and a photo, etc. are being displayedon the display 160, the flexible apparatus 100 may delete the objectsone by one.

FIG. 49 is a view to explain an example of an operation which isperformed when the user holds the flexible apparatus 100 with both handsand bends it according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 49, when bending is performed in the Z− directionwhile a plurality of objects OB1 to OB6 are displayed on a screen 4900of the display 160, the objects OB1 to OB6 displayed on the screen aremoved toward a bending line. In addition, objects OB7 to OB9 that arenot displayed in a flat state are newly displayed and are moved towardthe bending line.

If bending is performed in the Z+ direction, the objects are movedtoward opposite edges with reference to the bending line. Accordingly,the objects that are moved to the opposite edges disappear from thescreen.

In FIG. 49, when bending in the Z− direction and bending in the Z+direction are alternately repeated at a high speed, the flexibleapparatus 100 determines that a swinging operation is performed.Accordingly, the objects displayed on the screen disappear one by one asif they are shaken off from the screen.

FIG. 50 is a view to explain a shaking operation according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 50, when the user holds one edge of the flexibleapparatus 100 and shakes the flexible apparatus 100, the flexibleapparatus 100 is alternately bent in the Z+ direction and the Z−direction. One part which is held by the user is maintained in a flatstate (F) and the other part is bent with reference to a boundary line(L) so that a bending area (B) is formed. As shown in FIG. 50, adirection in which the user holds the flexible apparatus 100 is definedas an X+ direction and the opposite direction is defined as an X−direction.

When a shaking operation is performed while a plurality of objects OB1,OB2, and OB3 are displayed on the screen of the display 160 as shown inFIG. 50, the objects are moved in the X− direction and displayed. Whenthe objects OB1, OB2, and OB3 are moved to the edge of the X− direction,the objects are deleted.

FIG. 51 is a view illustrating an operation of the flexible apparatuswhich is performed when bending and hold is performed on a corneraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 51, in a state in which a first application APP1 isexecuted and an execution screen 5100 is displayed, when a corner isbent and the bent state is maintained, a new area 5110 is opened on anedge including the corner. An edge is divided with reference to an endpoint of the boundary line and the new area 5110 is opened on the edge.

The flexible apparatus 100 displays an execution screen of anotherapplication APP2 which is different from the original screen 5100 on thenew area 5110.

When a touch is performed on the two areas in which a plurality ofdifferent applications are executed as described above, a backgroundscreen or other basic user interfaces may be displayed instead of theapplication execution screens displayed on the two areas. For example,when the two areas are touched simultaneously or when a gesture oftouching the two areas simultaneously and spreading fingers apart in ahorizontal direction is performed, the two areas 5100 and 5110 areseparated from each other horizontally and the screen is converted intothe background screen or the basic UI.

Also, when multi-touch is performed on the two areas 5100 and 5110 and aflick is performed in a manner that touched points are moved in adirection toward a boundary, the execution screens of the applicationsAPP1 and APP2 are changed with each other. In this state, if the holdstate is released, the original screen 5100 is restored.

In FIG. 51, the two areas 5100 and 5110 are clearly divided withreference to one boundary line. However, when general bending which hasa radius of curvature greater than a predetermined value is performedrather than bending having a small radius of curvature such as folding,a boundary line between the screens may be formed softly. Theapplication execution screens may be overlapped with each other on thebent area and a transparent gradation effect may be applied so that thetwo areas can be naturally displayed, or a mosaic effect is applied sothat the two areas can be represented as being overlapped with eachother.

FIG. 52 is a view illustrating another example of an operation which isperformed when bending and hold is performed on a corner according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 52, a notification window displaying diverse stateinformation about a currently executed application may be displayed on acorner. When the flexible apparatus 100 executes a messenger program, anexecution screen of the messenger program is displayed on a screen 5200as show in FIG. 52. In this state, a notification window 5210 maydisplay information indicating a current state of a user or a user'sinterlocutor.

The user may change the state by touching the notification window 5210.Referring to FIG. 52, when the notification window 5210 is touched, thecurrent state of the user is changed to a state ‘Do Not Disturb’.Information on this state is displayed on the notification window 5210.The user may turn off the state ‘Do Not Disturb’ by displaying thenotification window 5210 again. The notification window 5210 may alsodisplay information on an acquaintance who logs in.

When the notification window 5210 is not required any longer, the usermay spread the corner and may make the notification window 5210disappear. In FIG. 52, the bending and hold is performed on the cornerin a diagonal direction and the message displayed on the notificationwindow is aligned in parallel with the bending line. However, thisshould not be considered as limiting. The angle of the aligningdirection of the message may be rotated in a clockwise direction so thatthe message can be aligned in parallel with an upper edge of the screen5200 rather than the bending line.

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating another example of a function which isperformed when bending is performed according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 53, when a certain area is bent backward while acertain screen 5300 is displayed, the screen is divided into two screenswith reference to a boundary line. The original screen 5300 is displayedon a first area 5300 (a) of the divided screens. In this case, a layoutand a size of the original screen 5300 may be adjusted according to thefirst area 5300 (a). The other screen, a second area 5300(b), is closed.

In FIG. 53, the flexible apparatus 100 is bent in a vertical direction.However, the same operation may be performed when the flexible apparatus100 is bent in a horizontal direction or a diagonal direction. Forexample, in FIG. 53, when the flexible apparatus 100 is bent in thediagonal direction and the state is held, the screen is divided into twotriangular screens. One of the screens may display thumbnail images or alist, and the other screen may enlarge an object which is selected fromthe thumbnail images or the list and display the object.

When the flexible apparatus 100 is folded in the opposite direction toFIG. 53, and the opposite edges are brought into contact with each otherwith reference to the center of the screen, the controller 120 may turnoff the flexible apparatus 100, inactivate only the display 160, or mayconvert the state into a standby state. In this state, when the twoareas contacting each other are separated from each other by more than apredetermined gap, the flexible apparatus 100 may be automaticallyturned on or the display 160 is turned on. The brightness of the screenmay be adjusted according to an unfolding angle or time.

As described above, the bending may be performed in various shapes invarious locations, and accordingly, various applications or functionsmay be executed or a screen layout may be changed.

In the above-described embodiments, a width length of the display 160 islonger than a height length. However, this is merely an example. A size,a shape, and an aspect ratio of the display 160 may vary according to atype of the flexible apparatus.

FIG. 54 is a view to illustrate a method for performing a menunavigation operation according to a bending shape in a flexibleapparatus which includes a display 160 having a height length longerthan a width length according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 54, the flexible apparatus 100 may display a menuscreen 5400 which includes a plurality of menus. The menu screen 5400may be displayed when a specific menu is selected or a specific bendingshape occurs.

When bending is performed while the menu screen 5400 is displayed, thecontroller 120 may perform a menu navigation operation for a pluralityof menus 5410 to 5450 according to a bending shape. The menu navigationoperation includes various operations of identifying and selecting amenu such as a menu moving operation, a menu selecting operation, a menupage changing operation, a menu scroll operation, and a main and submenus displaying operation.

The menu moving operation refers to an operation of moving a cursor orother selection marks between menus. The menu selecting operation refersto an operation of selecting one menu. The menu page changing operationrefers to an operation of changing a current menu page to a previousmenu page or a next menu page when the menus are arranged on a pagebasis. The menu scroll operation refers to an operation of scrolling themenus that are not displayed on the screen in one menu page to make themappear on the screen or disappear from the screen. The main and sub menudisplaying operation refers to an operation of displaying sub menusbelonging to one menu when the menu is selected, or displaying a mainmenu to which the menus belong.

Referring to FIG. 54, when the right upper corner is bent one time whilethe first menu 5410 is highlighted on the menu screen 5400, the menumoving operation is performed to move the highlight to the next menu5420. When the right upper corner is bent one more time, the highlightis moved to the next menu 5430. In this state, when the left edge isbent, the highlighted menu 5430 is selected and a sub menu screen 5500belonging to the menu 5430 is displayed. Sub-menus 5431 to 5434belonging to the main menu 5430 are displayed on the sub menu screen5500. One of the sub menus 5431 to 5434 is highlighted on the sub menuscreen 5500. Accordingly, when the upper corner is bent again while thesub menu screen 5500 is displayed, the highlight is moved. When the leftedge is bent while the highlight is displayed on one of the sub menus,the corresponding sub menu is selected and a UI screen corresponding tothe selected sub menu is displayed.

Although not shown in FIG. 54, when many menus are displayed on thescreen such that all of the menus cannot be displayed on one menuscreen, the menu scroll operation may be performed by bending the upperedge or lower edge.

In the above example, the menus are displayed in the form of a list.However, when the menus are displayed in the form of icons, the menunavigation operation may be performed according to the bending shape.Although the right upper corner or left edge is bent in FIG. 54, thecharacteristics of the bending shapes and corresponding menu navigationoperations may be matched with each other in various methods.

Various basic operations other than the menu navigation operation, suchas zoom in, zoom out, channel changing, and volume control may beperformed and controlled according to the bending shape.

In the above-described embodiments, the flexible apparatus 100 is a flattype. However, the flexible apparatus 100 is not necessarily in a flattype and may be implemented by using various types. Hereinafter, variousexamples of an exterior will be explained.

FIG. 55 is a view illustrating an example of a detailed shape of anexterior of a flexible apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 55, the flexible apparatus 100 includes a body 5700, adisplay 160, and a grip part 5710.

The body 5700 serves as a kind of a case containing the display 160.When the flexible apparatus 100 includes various elements as shown inFIG. 42, the elements except for the display 160 and some sensors may bemounted in the body 5700.

The body 5700 includes a rotation roller (not shown) to roll the display160. Accordingly, the display 160 is rolled around the rotation rollerand is embedded in the body 5700 when the flexible apparatus 100 is notin use. When the user grips the grip part 5710 and pulls the display160, the rotation roller is rotated in a direction opposite to therolling direction so that the rolling is released, and the display 160comes out from the body 5700. A stopper may be provided on the rotationroller. Accordingly, when the user pulls the grip part 5710 by more thana predetermined distance, the rotation of the rotation roller is stoppedby the stopper and thus the display 160 is fixed.

The user may perform various functions using the display 160 which isexposed to the outside. When the user presses a button to release thestopper, the stopper is released and the rotation roller is rotated in areverse direction, so that the display 160 is rolled into the body 5700.The stopper may be formed in a switch shape to stop an operation of agear to rotate the rotation roller. Those that are used in a generalrolling structure may be used as the rotation roller and the stopper,and thus detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted.

The body 5700 includes a power supply 180. The power supply 180 may beembodied in various forms such as a battery connection portion on whicha disposable battery is mounted, a secondary cell which is reusable fora number of times by being charged by the user, or a solar cell whichgenerates electricity using solar heat. When the power supply 180 isimplemented by using the secondary cell, the user may connect the body5700 to an external power source through a wire and may charge the powersupply 180.

In FIG. 55, the body 5700 has a cylindrical shape. However, the body5700 may have a rectangular shape or other polygonal shapes. The display160 may also be embodied in other forms such as enclosing the body 5700,rather than being exposed to the outside from the body 5700 by beingpulled.

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a flexible display apparatus in which apower supply is attached or detached according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 56, the power supply 180 is provided on one edge ofthe flexible apparatus to be attached to or detached from the flexibleapparatus.

The power supply 180 is made of a flexible material and thus is bendablealong with the display 160. The power supply 180 may include a cathodecollector, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte, an anode electrode, ananode collector, and a sheath enclosing the aforementioned elements.

For example, the collector may be implemented by using an alloy such asTiNi having good elasticity, metal such as copper and aluminum, aconductive material such as metal coated with carbon, carbon, and acarbon fiber, or a conducting polymer such as polypyrole.

The cathode electrode may be manufactured by a negative electrodematerial such as metal such as lithium, natrium, zinc, magnesium,cadmium, hydrogen storage alloy, and lead, nonmetal such as carbon, anda high molecular electrode material such as organosulfur.

The anode electrode may be manufactured by a positive electrode materialsuch as sulfur and metal sulfide, lithium transition metal oxide such asLiCoO2, and a high molecular electrode material such as SOCl2, MnO2,Ag2O, Cl2, NiCl2, and NiOOH. The electrolyte unit may be implemented ina gel form using PEO, PVdF, PMMA, and PVAC.

The sheath may use a general polymer resin. For example, PVC, HDPE, orepoxy may be used. In addition to (or instead of) these, any materialthat can prevent damage of a thread-type cell and is freely flexible orbendable may be used for the sheath.

Each of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode in the powersupply 180 may include a connector to be electrically connected to anexternal source.

Referring to FIG. 56, the connector protrudes from the power supply 180and a recess corresponding to a location, a size, and a shape of theconnector is formed on the display 160. Accordingly, the power supply180 is connected with the display 160 as the connector and the recessare connected to each other. The connector of the power supply 180 isconnected to a power connection pad of the flexible display apparatus100 to supply power to the flexible display apparatus 100.

Although the power supply 180 is attached to or detached from one edgeof the flexible apparatus 100 in FIG. 56, this is merely an example. Alocation and a shape of the power supply 180 may be changed according toa product characteristic. For example, when the flexible apparatus 100has a predetermined thickness, the power supply 180 may be mounted on arear surface of the flexible apparatus 100.

FIG. 57 is a view illustrating a flexible apparatus of a 3-dimensionalstructure rather than a flat panel structure according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 57, a display 160 is disposed on one side of theflexible display apparatus 100, and various hardware such as a button, aspeaker, a microphone, and an IR lamp are provided on another side.

A whole outer case or a part of the outer case of the flexible apparatus100 shown in FIG. 57 is made of rubber or other polymer resins, and isflexibly bendable. Accordingly, the whole flexible apparatus 100 or apart of the flexible apparatus 100 may have flexibility.

The flexible apparatus 100 may perform a new operation which isdifferent from a previous operation when bending is performed. Forexample, the flexible apparatus 100, which normally performs a remotecontrol function to control an external apparatus, may perform a callingfunction when one area is bent. When the remote control function isperformed, a remote control button may be displayed on the display 160,and, when the calling function is performed, a dial pad may be displayedon the display 160.

FIG. 58 illustrates a circular type flexible apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 58, a visually or functionally different operation maybe performed according to a shape in which the flexible apparatus 100 isplaced or folded. For instance, when the flexible apparatus is placed ona bottom horizontally, photos or other content are displayed, and, whenthe flexible display apparatus stands on the bottom in an uprightposition, a clock function is performed. When a center of the flexibledisplay apparatus 100 is bent by 90°, a laptop PC function may beperformed. In this case, one of the folded areas displays a softkeyboard and the other area displays a display window. In addition to(or instead of) these, the flexible apparatus may be embodied in variousforms.

According to the above-described various embodiments, the flexibleapparatus may determine various types of bending shapes using theplurality of motion sensors in addition to the sensors such as the bendsensors or touch sensors. When the bending shape is determined, theflexible apparatus may execute a function matched with the bendingshape.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart to illustrate a method for controlling anoperation of a flexible apparatus according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 59, the plurality of motion sensors which are disposedon different locations over the entire surface of the flexible apparatusoutput sensing values at operation 55800.

The flexible apparatus 100 determines a bending shape using the sensingvalues at operation 55810. To determine the bending shape, the flexibleapparatus 100 may determine at least one of a bending direction, adegree of bending, a bending area, and a bending shape by comparingresults of sensing changes in positions by the plurality of motionsensors. The flexible apparatus 100 determines the bending shape bycomparing results of the determining and bending shape information whichis recorded on a database. The results of sensing the changes in thepositions may include a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle whichare calculated based on the sensing values output from the motionsensors. The placement locations and configurations of the motionsensors, the method for calculating the pitch angle, the roll angle, andthe yaw angle, and the method for determining the bending shape havebeen described above, and a redundant explanation is omitted.

Accordingly, an operation corresponding to the bending shape isperformed at operation 55820. The bending shape may include varioustypes of bending such as general bending, folding, multi-bending,bending and move, bending and flat, bending and hold, bending and twist,twist, swing, shaking and rolling. The operation of the flexibleapparatus may vary according to bending characteristics such as a typeof bending, a bending location, a bending direction, a degree ofbending, a bending speed, a number of times that bending occurs, and abending time, and an operation state of the flexible apparatus at thetime when bending is performed.

For example, the flexible apparatus may terminate a function orapplication that has been executed, and may execute a new function orapplication. The flexible apparatus may also execute a sub functionbelonging to a currently executed function or application according to abending shape. For example, as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, a function thatis supported by a currently executed application, such as channelchanging or bookmarking, may be executed. In addition, the flexibleapparatus may convert an operation mode according to a bending shape.For example, when bending is performed while the flexible apparatus isoperated in one of a camera mode and a video recording mode, the modemay be converted into the other mode of the camera mode and the videorecording mode. A screen layout may also be changed according to abending shape. A new screen may be displayed on an area that isdelineated by a bending shape, or objects displayed on the screen suchas an image, a photo, a text, and an icon may slide in a tiltingdirection according to a bending shape.

Various operations corresponding to bending shapes have been describedin detail in the above-described embodiments, and thus additionalillustration and explanation are not provided.

In an embodiment in which elements to sense a user manipulation such asa touch sensor, a button, a pressure sensor, a grip sensor, and aproximity sensor are further provided, the method for controlling theoperation of the flexible apparatus may further include controlling anactivation state of each of the plurality of motion sensors according towhether a user manipulation is sensed or not.

When the bending sensor is further included and a predeterminedcalibration shape is sensed, the method for controlling the operation ofthe flexible apparatus may further include calculating a compensationvalue based on the sensing value output from the bend sensor while thecalibration shape is sensed, and compensating for the sensing value ofthe bend sensor using the compensation value.

The method for determining the bending shape and the method forcontrolling the operation of the flexible apparatus according to theabove-described various embodiments may be implemented by using aprogram and provided to the flexible display apparatus.

A non-transitory computer readable medium, which stores a program forperforming the method including: outputting sensing values of aplurality of motion sensors mounted in a body of a flexible apparatus,determining a bending shape of the body using the sensing values of theplurality of motion sensors, and performing an operation correspondingto the bending shape, may be provided.

The non-transitory computer readable medium refers to a medium thatstores data semi-permanently rather than storing data for a very shorttime, such as a register, a cache, and a memory, and is readable by anapparatus. The above-described various applications or programs may bestored in a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CompactDisc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a hard disk, a Blu-ray disk,a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a memory card, and a Read Only Memory(ROM.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flexible apparatus comprising: a memory; atouch sensor; a plurality of motion sensors disposed in a plurality oflocations of the flexible apparatus, respectively; and a processorconfigured to: activate at least one of the plurality of motion sensorsbased on a touch input being sensed by the touch sensor, identify abending shape of the flexible apparatus among a predetermined pluralityof bending shapes based on a change in motion sensed by the at least oneof the activated plurality of motion sensors, and perform an operationcorresponding to the identified bending shape based on operationinformation corresponding to the identified bending shape of theflexible apparatus stored in the memory.
 2. The flexible apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the identified bending shape comprises adegree of bending and a bending direction.
 3. The flexible apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of motion sensors isconfigured to sense a change in a position with reference to at leastone of 3D space axes.
 4. The flexible apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the plurality of motion sensors are disposed on corner areas ofthe flexible apparatus.
 5. The flexible apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the plurality of motion sensors comprise: a first motion sensordisposed on a center of a first edge area from among edge areas of theflexible apparatus; and a second motion sensor disposed on a center of asecond edge area which is opposite the first edge area from among theedge areas of the flexible apparatus.
 6. The flexible apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: in responseto the touch input being sensed by the touch sensor while the pluralityof motion sensors are in an inactive state, activate the plurality ofmotion sensors, and in response to a predetermined time being elapsedafter the touch input is sensed by the touch sensor, deactivate theactivated plurality of motion sensors.
 7. The flexible apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: a bend sensor configured tosense a bending state of the flexible apparatus, wherein the processoris configured to identify the bending shape based on an output value ofthe bend sensor and the change in motion sensed by at least one of theplurality of motion sensors.
 8. The flexible apparatus as claimed inclaim 7, wherein, based on a predetermined calibration shape beingsensed, the processor is configured to calculate a compensation valueusing the output value of the bend sensor while the predeterminedcalibration shape is sensed, and compensate for the output value of thebend sensor based on the compensation value.
 9. The flexible apparatusas claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of motion sensors compriseat least one of an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or a gyrosensor.
 10. The flexible apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a flexible display configured to display a screen of theflexible display corresponding to the bending shape.
 11. A method forcontrolling an operation of a flexible apparatus, the method comprising:activating at least one of a plurality of motion sensors based on atouch input being sensed by a touch sensor; identifying a bending shapeof the flexible apparatus among a predetermined plurality of bendingshapes based on a change in motion sensed by the at least one of theactivated plurality of motion sensors; and performing an operationcorresponding to the identified bending shape based on operationinformation corresponding to the identified bending shape of theflexible apparatus stored in a memory.
 12. The method as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the identified bending shape comprises a degree ofbending and a bending direction.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11,wherein each of the plurality of motion sensors is configured to sense achange in a position with reference to at least one of 3D space axes.14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of motionsensors are disposed on corner areas of the flexible apparatus.
 15. Themethod as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of motion sensorscomprise: a first motion sensor disposed on a center of a first edgearea from among edge areas of the flexible apparatus; and a secondmotion sensor disposed on a center of a second edge area which isopposite the first edge area from among the edge areas of the flexibleapparatus.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: inresponse to a touch input being sensed by the touch sensor while theplurality of motion sensors are in an inactive state, activating theplurality of motion sensors, in response to a predetermined time beingelapsed after the touch input is sensed by the touch sensor,deactivating the activated plurality of motion sensors.
 17. The methodas claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible apparatus comprises a bendsensor configured to sense a bending state of the flexible apparatus,and wherein the identifying of the bending shape comprises identifyingthe bending shape based on an output value of the bend sensor and thechange in motion sensed by at least one of the plurality of motionsensors.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:based on a predetermined calibration shape being sensed, calculating acompensation value using a sensing value of the bend sensor while thepredetermined calibration shape is sensed; and compensating for thesensing value of the bend sensor based on the compensation value. 19.The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plurality of motionsensors comprise at least one of an acceleration sensor, a geomagneticsensor, or a gyro sensor.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 11, furthercomprising displaying a screen corresponding to the bending shape.